Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
Bhutan-Sri Lanka Annual Bilateral Consultations
The first annual bilateral consultation between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was held on 16 November, 2015. The consultation was held at the level of Foreign Secretaries. The Bhutanese side was led by Mr. Tshering Dorji, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan and included Bhutan’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, foreign ministry officials and officials from other agencies.
The Bhutanese side was led by Mr. Tshering Dorji, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan and included Bhutan’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, foreign ministry officials and officials from other agencies.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Chitranganee Wagiswara and included officials from the Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine; Ministry of Buddhasasana; Ministry of University Education & Highways; Ministry of Industry & Commerce; and Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation.
The two Foreign Secretaries welcomed the institution of the annual bilateral consultations as a valuable bilateral forum to further enhance and strengthen friendly cooperative relations between the two countries and to increase bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The consultation covered a wide range of issues from political relations, trade, investment, tourism, human resource development, cultural exchanges, and cooperation in regional and multilateral fora.
The two sides noted with appreciation that political interactions between the two countries are increasing. They noted the significant contributions made by regular exchange of visits at all levels. They expressed satisfaction with the recent successful visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan to Colombo from 9 -11 April, 2015.
Both sides welcomed the deepening of cooperation in the field of education and human resource development and the potential that exists in this area including the opportunity for Bhutanese to pursue higher education in Sri Lanka. The Bhutanese side thanked Sri Lanka for the scholarships and placements that are being provided to Bhutanese medical and engineering students. It was agreed that more opportunities would be provided for Bhutanese to pursue higher studies and trainings at universities and institutions in Sri Lanka.
The two sides emphasized the importance of SAARC, BIMSTEC and other regional organizations of which the two countries are members. They noted that exploiting the full potential of the organizations within the existing frameworks such as the Agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) and SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services (SATIS) will bring huge benefits to the member states and resolved to work together to strengthen these organizations.
The two sides took note of the importance of forging institutional linkages between the various agencies in the two countries such as national parliaments, educational institutions and chambers of commerce.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and other international fora, and highlighted the importance of working together on issues of mutual interest.
The Consultation, which was held in a most cordial manner, reaffirmed the strong ties of friendship and cooperation that exists between Bhutan and Sri Lanka. It was agreed that the next consultation will be held in Thimphu in 2016.
On 17 November 2015, Mr. Tshering Dorji called on H.E. Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Mohan Lal Grero, State Minister of University Education of Sri Lanka. During the meetings, he expressed appreciation on behalf of the Royal Government for Sri Lanka’s invaluable contribution in the health and education sectors.
In Colombo, Mr. Tsheing Dorji and delegation also paid homage at the Gangaramaya Temple where His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck had laid the foundation stone of the structure supporting the Sri Mahabodhi Tree during His Majesty’s visit to Sri Lanka in 1976.