Salman Bashir calls on Bhutanese PM, discusses bilateral ties
THIMPHU (Bhutan), Feb 8 (APP): Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called on Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley on Tuesday and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Secretary conveyed greetings of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to Jigme Wangchuck, King of Bhutan and Prime Minister Thinley which the Bhutanese Prime Minister warmly reciprocated.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir renewed the invitation to Prime Minister Thinley extended by Prime Minister Gilani to visit Pakistan. The Bhutanese Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to visiting Pakistan in the near future.
The Foreign Secretary said, “We appreciate very much the eminent role that Bhutan has played in promoting regional cooperation in South Asia.”
“We also admire the sagacious leadership of His majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Bhutanese Government in promoting development and well being of the Bhutanese people.”
He said in fact other countries of South Asia could benefit immensely from the Bhutanese development model.
The Foreign Secretary added that Pakistan and Bhutan enjoy unique bonds of friendship that span several centuries and Pakistan’s Ghandara heritage has immense spiritual significance.
He said Pakistan keenly desires enhancing bilateral ties of cooperation including facilities for Bhutanese students in medicine and engineering as well as training of Bhutanese diplomats at the Foreign Service Academy.
Prime Minister Thinley welcomed the suggestion for a visit to Bhutan by Pakistani parliamentarians and experts to study the Bhutanese development experience.
It was agreed that Pakistan and Bhutan would closely consult and cooperate at multilateral fora.
Foreign Secretary Bashir briefed the Bhutanese Prime Minister on developments relative to Afghanistan and India, in particular relating to the significance of the meeting between Prime Minister Gilani and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Thimphu last year as well as the recently held meeting between the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India.