Foreign-Affairs
US is invested in Bangladesh’s success: Biden
US President Joe Biden has said his country acknowledges their enduring partnership with Dhaka and termed Bangladesh's economic growth in the past 50 years “a remarkable story”.
“I hope our nations will continue to work on democratic governance, climate change, refugees, and maritime security. We are invested in your success and support the ability of all Bangladeshis to freely participate in and contribute to their country's development,” he said.
The US President made the remarks while accepting the credentials of the newly-appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the US, Muhammad Imran, at the White House, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
“As 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of US-Bangladesh relations, I would like to acknowledge our enduring partnership with Bangladesh,” Biden mentioned in his written remarks.
Read more: US National Security Council official arrives Saturday
While formally presenting the credentials to the US President recently, Ambassador Imran conveyed the greetings of President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the US President.
Welcoming the new Bangladesh envoy in the United States, Biden said his administration looks forward to working with the ambassador to expand bilateral relations between the two countries.
“My Administration looks forward to working with you to deepen our relations as we address the opportunities and challenges ahead. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Washington,” he said in a letter to the Ambassador.
Biden also assured the Bangladesh ambassador of extending all sorts of cooperation during his tenure in the United States.
Read More: India to host "Voice of Global South Summit" January 12-13 virtually under theme "Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”
US National Security Council official arrives Saturday
Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council, White House, in Washington, D.C. is scheduled to arrive here on Saturday evening to discuss issues of mutual interest with Bangladesh.
The issues including Bangladesh-US cooperation on counterterrorism, Bangladesh's demand for withdrawal of sanctions on its elite force RAB, Rohingya repatriation, Ukraine war and return of killer Rashed Chowdhury are likely to be discussed during her interactions in Bangladesh.
During her four-day visit, Laubacher plans to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen apart from her planned visit to the Rohingya camps.
Read: US calls on all political parties in Bangladesh to respect rule of law, avoid violence
Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher recently had a meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C. when she was Special Assistant to the US President.
Later, she became Senior Director for South Asia at the White House National Security Council.
Donald Lu's Visit
Meanwhile, Donald Lu who became Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on September 15, 2021, is likely to begin his Bangladesh visit on January 15.
Regarding the Bangladesh visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, Momen said it is very good news that he is coming. "He is like a policymaker in this area. We welcome him.”
“We’ve a very good relationship with the US. We have multifaceted engagements with the US. There will be talks on different issues when he (Donald Lu) comes.”
He also hoped Donald Lu’s visit will help strengthen the good relationship between the two countries.
Replying to a question from the reporters on the US sanctions on Rab, the minister said bilateral relation is not determined by a single issue.
Read: UK 'greatly values' opportunity to discuss full range of bilateral, political issues with Bangladesh
“The US is our biggest consumer and our biggest investor. With engagements in many areas, we don't have to worry about just one issue. We both have common values and principles.”
He said the US wants a democratic system and Bangladesh also wants a democratic system.
“The US wants to uphold human rights. We want to, too. Three million people of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives for human rights, justice and democracy,” he added.
“We will talk about many things. It is open. Many issues will be discussed.”
India to host "Voice of Global South Summit" January 12-13 virtually under theme "Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”
India will host a special virtual Summit on 12-13 January 2023 in a new and unique initiative.
This "Voice of Global South Summit” under the theme "Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” envisages bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform.
More than 120 countries are being invited to participate in this Summit, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.
The initiative is inspired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas, and is underpinned by India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated from partner countries in the Voice of Global South Summit deliberations receive due cognizance globally.
Further, India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20 provides a special and strong opportunity for those countries that are not part of the G20 process to share their ideas and expectations from the G20, according to the MEA.
This is in line with Prime Minister’s statement that India’s G20 Presidency will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard.
The Summit envisages ten sessions.
Four sessions would be held on 12 January, and six sessions on 13 January.
Read more: G20 Presidency: India to invite Bangladesh as guest country
Each session is expected to witness the participation of Leaders/Ministers from 10-20 countries.
The inaugural and concluding sessions would be at Head of State / Government level, and hosted by the Prime Minister.
The theme of the Inaugural Leaders’ session is "Voice of Global South - for Human-Centric Development” and that of the Concluding Leaders’ session is "Unity of Voice-Unity of Purpose”.
In addition, there would be 8 Ministerial sessions, with the following themes:
• Finance Ministers’ Session on "Financing People-Centric Development”
• Environment Ministers’ Session on "Balancing Growth with Environment Friendly Lifestyles (LiFE)”
• Foreign Ministers’ Session on "Priorities of the Global South - Ensuring a Conducive Environment”
• Energy Ministers’ Session on "Energy Security and Development- Roadmap to Prosperity”
• Health Ministers’ Session on "Cooperation to Build Resilient Healthcare Systems”
• Education Ministers’ Session on "Human Resource Development and Capacity Building”
• Commerce and Trade Ministers’ Session on "Developing Synergies in the Global South - Trade, Technology, Tourism and Resources”
• Foreign Ministers’ Session on "G-20: Suggestions for India’s Presidency”.
Read more: UN Resident Coordinator stresses urgency of fighting climate change
Momen slams Bangladeshi expat's killing in US, denounces hate crime
Referring to the killing of a Bangladeshi in the US, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said Bangladesh does not want any hate crime anywhere in the world.
“The Bangladeshi community there (US) are alleging it to be a hate crime,” Momen told reporters about the death of a Bangladeshi expatriate after being shot by the police at Cambridge in Massachusetts of the US on Thursday.
Read more: The recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic”: Momen
Earlier, he inaugurated the three-day "Peace Run Bangladesh" by lighting the peace torch at the Suhrawardy Udyan premises in the capital on Friday.
“We want to stop racism, communal violence and establish peace in the world,” Momen said.
Regarding the Bangladesh visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, Momen said it is very good news that he is coming. "He is like a policymaker in this area. We welcome him.”
Donald Lu became Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on September 15, 2021.
“We’ve a very good relationship with the US. We have multifaceted engagements with the US. There will be talks on different issues when he (Donald Lu) comes.”
He also hoped Donald Lu’s visit will help strengthen the good relationship between the two countries.
Read more: Govt to honour expats through National Expatriate Day: Momen
Replying to a question from the reporters on the US sanctions on Rab, the minister said bilateral relation is not determined by a single issue.
“The US is our biggest consumer and our biggest investor. With engagements on many areas, we don't have to worry about just one issue. We both have common values and principles.”
He said the US wants a democratic system and Bangladesh also wants a democratic system.
“The US wants to uphold human rights. We want, too. Three million people of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives for human rights, justice and democracy,” he added.
“We will talk about many things. It is open. Many issues will be discussed," he said.
France lauds Bangladesh's steady, outstanding development
Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy on Thursday applauded Bangladesh's "steady and outstanding" development, which supports its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2041.
The newly appointed Ambassador of France met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Both sides exchanged views on cooperation in aviation, food processing, clean and green energy, climate change, food security, repatriation of the Rohingyas; and free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
The Foreign Minister assured the new Ambassador Marie Masdupuy full support and cooperation during her tenure in Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh hopeful of France's support for its bid for GSP+ facility beyond 2029
Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two friendly nations.
The Foreign Minister congratulated Ambassador Marie Masdupuy on her appointment as the Ambassador of France to Bangladesh and expressed his satisfaction at the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
He also recalled the support of France and contributions of the French intellectuals like André Malraux during our War of Liberation in 1971.
Read more: Study in France: Scholarship Opportunities and Overview for Bangladeshi Students
UK 'greatly values' opportunity to discuss full range of bilateral, political issues with Bangladesh
As a close and longstanding partner of Bangladesh, the UK has said it greatly values the opportunity to discuss the full range of bilateral and political issues.
The visiting delegation of the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group discussed issues of mutual interests, including Bangladesh's development trajectory, prosperity and trade, and prospects for democratic governance, including human rights and international election observation.
Read more: Hasina for changing traditional lens of Bangladesh-UK relations
The delegation of both governing Conservative and opposition Labour MPs participated in exchanges with Bangladesh's political leadership, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
At the National Martyrs' Memorial, the All-Party Parliamentary Group paid respects to the sacrifices of Bangladeshi people during the 1971 Liberation War.
Read more: Bangladesh, UK keen to strengthen collaboration between 2 parliaments
The recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic”: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said that the recommendations some foreigners at times give seem to be “idiotic and illusory”.
“Foreigners' knowledge on Bangladesh is very limited,” he said, adding that people of the country are well aware of this.
Read more: People will have better standard of living if current development trend continues: Momen
The foreign minister was talking to reporters after a meeting at the community clinic of Civil Surgeon‘s office in Sylhet.
Thirty lakh people sacrificed their lives to establish human rights and justice when this country was formed, Momen said.
The minister said about 70-80 percent people cast their votes in elections in this country, adding that not even 25-30 percent people in many countries vote.
“Candidates cannot be found in the election. But in this country, a large number of candidates compete for each post.”
Read more: Govt to honour expats through National Expatriate Day: Momen
Under the circumstance, Momen urged the media not to focus on foreigners’ statements.
“If the media does not go to them (foreigners), they will sit idle,” he said, adding that no country has such media freedom as in Bangladesh.
“Many opposition parties are spreading misinformation abroad as they do not want the country to develop,” Momen added.
Dhaka, New Delhi to overcome disruptive forces to further deepen ties: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said killings in a number of points along the long Bangladesh-India border came down to zero level in recent years though problems remain in some points like Lalmonirhat.
"We hope it will come down to zero level (in all points)," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, acknowledging that border killing remains an irritant to Bangladesh-India relations.
The state minister said there is no lack of willingness on both sides and Bangladesh raised the recent border issues with India through diplomatic channels yesterday (Tuesday).
“There is no doubt that this is an irritant to our bilateral ties,” said the State Minister, adding that these incidents embarrassed them and undermine the growing relationship between the countries.
The government has conveyed the recent killing of three Bangladeshis by the BSF in separate incidents to the Indian government through diplomatic channels.
Read more: Border killings not expected: Shahriar Alam
“We did never step back in raising issues in the interest of Bangladesh and its people,” said the State Minister.
The State Minister said they see a deviation when it comes to Lalmonirhat and they are trying to understand it. “We will always remain vocal on the issue (border killing).”
Even during the recent home minister-level meeting between the two countries in Delhi, both the ministers agreed to take all our efforts to bring down the border killing to zero level, and to stop the use of lethal weapons, he mentioned.
“This is also our question: if really there was a situation, which required shooting then why were legs or hands not targeted?” the State Minister questioned.
He said there are many achievements brought about by the two countries.
Shahriar said there are disruptive forces driven by vested quarters but the two countries will work together to further deepen the relations.
Read more: Cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF’ along Lalmonirhat border
He also talked about the role of the media in fighting the misinformation.
Earlier, leaders of Bangladesh emphasized the importance of effective border management for ensuring a peaceful, stable and crime-free border.
Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such deaths of civilians to zero.
Surjobarta Media and Communication hosted the seminar titled “Indo-Bangla Unique Friendship in Hasina-Modi Regimes: Role of Media” where bilateral issues including water sharing, border killing, trade and investment and role of media in strengthening the ties were discussed.
President of South Asian Forum Against Religious Fundamentalism Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, acting Editor of Daily Samakal Mozammel Hossain Monju, Joint Editor of Daily Prothom Alo Sohrab Hassan, BSS Chief News Editor Samir Kanti Baarua, journalist Dr Ayanjit Sen, Chief Reporter of Daily Desh Rupantar Ummul Wara and Surjobarta Editor Sumi Khan also spoke at the seminar chaired by Prof Omer Selim Sher.
Kumar Nadesan only Sri Lankan among 27 selected globally to receive India’s Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award
Kumar Nadesan is the only Sri Lankan among 27 individuals selected globally to receive India’s Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.
Kumar Nadesan, Managing Director of the 92-year-old Virakesari, published by Express Newspapers, is the only Sri Lankan among 27 selected globally to receive the coveted honour.
Read more: On Myanmar’s diamond jubilee of independence, Bangladesh reiterates call for Rohingya repatriation
The award is given by the President of India to honour exceptional and meritorious contributions in chosen fields both in India and abroad.
Kumar Nadesan serves as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Press Institute and represents the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka. In addition, he serves as the Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka.
He is also President of the Global Organisation of People of Indian origin (Sri Lanka) and has been a recipient of 'the Service above Self' from Rotary International for Community work.
Read more: Amanul Haq appointed next Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey
The 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is scheduled to be held from the 8th to the 10th of January 2023 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, will confer the awards.
‘Historical and unexplored ties between Afro-South Asian communities need cultural attention’
Exploring the Afro-South Asia connection and the untold narratives of the Habshi rulers during the Sultanate period in Bengal, globally renowned researcher, archivist and curator Dr Kenneth X Robbins on Tuesday said that the historic ties between the Afro-South Asian communities need to be closely studied across the globe.
“Africans were an integral part of several Indian Sultanates, and some even started their own dynasties after moving to South Asia and eventually settled down here to play an essential role in the Indian subcontinent’s history of kingdoms, conquests and wars. They made contributions to this region’s history as soldiers and mercenaries, traders and merchants, musicians, scholars, and even generals and rulers,” Dr Robbins said.
They flourished as traders, artists, rulers, architects and reformers between the 14th and 17th centuries, and many Bengalis, on the other hand, also settled in Africa. These histories are lesser known, which is why it is necessary to bring global attention to the Afro-South Asian relationship and the Habshi dynasties, according to Dr Robbins who used his collections to publish fourteen books on South Asian history and culture, rooted from his special interests ranging from maharajas, nawabs, and Deccani sultans to minority groups like Afro-South Asians.
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the symposium and exhibition featuring Dr Kenneth X Robbins as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series, titled “Afro-South Asia Connectivity and the Habshi Kingdoms of Bengal and Beyond” on January 3 at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara in Dhaka.
The welcome remarks were delivered by Nahar Khan, Executive Director of Cosmos Foundation, followed by the keynote speech of Dr Robbins, who is currently on a visit to Bangladesh with his wife Joyce Robbins.
Read more: Cosmos Foundation showcases brilliant artworks of Alexandru Poteca and Maksuda Iqbal Nipa
“Many of us have heard of Indians in Africa. However, the movement of people across the Indian Ocean from Africa to India, the fascinating historical exchanges in knowledge, music, arts and culture still remain quite unfamiliar to us. Great lessons can be drawn from the history of how our cultures were shaped by one another, and in many ways still continue to do so. Much thanks to the pioneering work of our distinguished speaker, archivist and scholar Dr Kenneth Robbins in this regard, who has curated several Indian exhibits and many scholarly conferences,” Nahar Khan said in her welcome remarks.
She mentioned that in addition to publishing more than 70 articles, Dr Robbins coedited a three-volume series on Afro-South Asia in the global African diaspora. “These are the most comprehensive accounts of the experiences of the African diaspora in South Asia, which gives us an enthralling insight into the role of Africans in shaping South Asian history, and the interactions between the two communities,” she said.
A voracious collector, Dr Robbins began collecting Rajput, Deccani, Mughal and other paintings from dealers and auction houses in the 1960s. Struck by the fact that only coin collectors knew that Bengal was once ruled by an East African dynasty – from 1486 to 1493, he made it his life’s mission to bring such information into general public discourse.
In October, it was revealed that the Robbins family has designated the Penn Libraries – the library system of the University of Pennsylvania, an IVY League school in the US, as the recipient of their entire collection in their estate planning.
“The generosity of the Robbins family means generations of scholars will find research topics here and use these materials in their teaching – which will bring such information to textbooks in schools and into the general historical discussion. That to me is the meaning and spirit of true scholarship, and I am also happy to announce that we have been working on a book and a film project on Africans in Bengal,” Nahar Khan said.