NEW DELHI, June 9, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her country's eagerness to import hydro electricity from Bhutan through India when Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on her at the latter's Place of Residence here.

"Import of hydroelectricity will require a tripartite agreement involving India and we have already brought the matter to their (India's) attention," she told the Bhutanese Prime Minister.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told this at a news briefing after the call on.

"Bhutan is eagerly waiting to export hydroelectricity to Bangladesh," he said.

During the courtesy call, the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the countries came up for discussion, Hasan said.

"Both the countries have reiterated their commitment of enhancing the existing multifaceted relations," he said.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister thanked the Bangladesh premier for building a burn unit in his country and giving essential drugs for one year.

He highly praised the development of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina.

Sheikh Hasina said Bhutan has a special place in the hearts of all Bangladeshis as it had first recognized Bangladesh as an independence nation after 1971 Liberation War.

"We're ready to extend all kinds of assistance to Bhutan," she said.

She laid emphasis on proper utilization of the allocated land for Bhutan at the Special Economic Zone in Kurigram and hoped Bhutan will make industries there.

The Premier sought for more Bhutanese investment in Bangladesh.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister highly praised Saima Wazed, only daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for South-East Asia and mentioned her recent visit to Bhutan.

Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP, Private Industry and Investment Advisor to Prime Minister, Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Commerce, Ahasanul Islam Titu, PM's Principal Secretary M Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and PM’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan were present, among others, from Bangladesh side.

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Chandra Bahadur Gurung, Ministry of Home Affairs, Tshering, Ambassador of Bhutan to India, Maj. Gen V. Namgyel, Cabinet Secretary, Kesang Deki and Foreign Secretary Pema Choden, were present in Bhutan side.