Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir calls on H.E. Mr. Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan

(2011-02-08)

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called on H.E. Mr. Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan on 8 February 2011.

The Foreign Secretary conveyed greetings from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to His Majesty Jigme Wangchuck the 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.

Foreign Secretary said that 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. In fact other countries of South Asia could benefit immensely from the Bhutanese development model.
Foreign Secretary added that Pakistan and Bhutan enjoy unique bonds of friendship that span several centuries. Pakistan’s Ghandara heritage has immense spiritual significance. 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 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Thimphu last year as well as the recently held meeting between the two Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan is an important country. It has an important role to play for development and peace in the region. He fondly recalled his bilateral visits to Pakistan. The warmth with which he was received not only by the government and the people of Pakistan had left a deep imprint on his mind. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of building close ties with Pakistan at all level.

Islamabad
08 February 2011

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