The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday (11 November 2025) celebrated the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, at Radisson Blu Dhaka with due respect and a festive atmosphere. Diplomats, government officials, representatives from various institutions, and distinguished guests attended the event, making it a prominent gathering celebrating Bhutan-Bangladesh friendship and cultural harmony.
The chief guest of the event was Professor Dr. C.R. Abrar, Advisor for Education at the Ministry of Education. In his speech, he paid tribute to the visionary leadership, humanitarian values, and development-oriented vision of the Fourth King of Bhutan. He said that His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck is an inspiring figure not only for Bhutan but for the entire region. On behalf of Bangladesh, he extended deep respect and heartfelt greetings to His Majesty. Dr. Abrar highlighted that the King’s concept of Gross National Happiness, which prioritizes people’s well-being, harmony, and social welfare over mere economic growth, has redefined global perspectives on development. He recalled the historic visit of the Fourth King to Dhaka in 1974 and noted that Bhutan was the first country to recognize Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. He also mentioned that following the recent mass uprising, Bangladesh is moving forward on a transformative journey and is eager to deepen cooperation with its close friend Bhutan.
The Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh, Ms. Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee, addressed the gathering, thanking everyone for their presence. She noted that the Fourth King ascended the throne at just 17 years old and dedicated his 34-year reign to the comprehensive development of Bhutan. She highlighted that under his leadership, Bhutan achieved remarkable progress in rural infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihoods. The Fourth King was a global pioneer in environmental conservation; he ensured that Bhutan’s Constitution mandates at least 60% forest cover, and today the country maintains approximately 70% forest coverage, making Bhutan one of the only true carbon-negative nations in the world. She also emphasized the King’s historic role in Bhutan’s peaceful transition to democracy.
The Ambassador further highlighted the strong and historic foundation of Bhutan-Bangladesh friendship. From Bhutan being the first country to recognize Bangladesh in 1971, to the Fourth King’s visits to Dhaka in 1974 and 1984, his participation in the 1985 SAARC Summit in Dhaka, various bilateral agreements, and recent high-level visits—all have strengthened the ties between the two nations. She also mentioned Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City as a symbol of Bhutan’s transformative vision for the future and expressed optimism about new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
The celebrations concluded with the cutting of a cake to mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King. Guests expressed their hope that the long-standing friendship between Bhutan and Bangladesh and future cooperation would continue to grow even stronger.
