United News of Bangladesh

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced on Monday the successful conclusion of the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations during a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu. Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi,  Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun; Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Mahbubur Rahman; Chief Negotiator of the Bangladesh–Japan EPA, Ayesha Akter; the Deputy Chief Negotiator, Md. Firoj Uddin Ahmed; and the Focal Point, Mahbuba Khatoon Minu, were present during the announcement, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. As an early step in the negotiations, a Joint Study Group was established, which published its report on 27 December 2023. The report recommended a comprehensive approach covering 17 sectors for negotiation. The official negotiations for the EPA commenced on 12 March 2024, as per the Agreed Work Plan. The first round was held in Dhaka from 19–23 May 2024, but due to unforeseen challenges, the talks were temporarily paused. In response to the critical importance of the EPA for Bangladesh's economic growth, the interim government refocused its efforts starting November 2024, setting an ambitious goal to conclude the agreement within a year. This led to the adoption of an accelerated negotiation process, significantly speeding up the remaining rounds. The remaining negotiations progressed through a second round in Dhaka from November 10–14, 2024, followed by a third round in Tokyo on December 19–20, 2024, a fourth round in Dhaka from February 2–6, 2025, a fifth round in Tokyo from April 20–26, 2025, a sixth round in Dhaka from June 21–26, 2025, and finally a seventh and concluding round in Tokyo from September 3–12, 2025, which brought the talks to a successful close. Through these seven rounds, the EPA text was finalized, adhering to the original work plan. A crucial factor behind the swift progression of the negotiations was the direct involvement of Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi. Their proactive steps included chairing multiple inter-ministerial meetings and also high-level visits to Japan, where they engaged directly with their ministerial counterparts, said the Press Wing. These visits were instrumental in reinforcing Bangladesh’s commitment to finalising the agreement. Their personal involvement highlighted the interim government’s deep commitment to securing the EPA, underscoring its strategic importance. Upon the conclusion and signing of the EPA, Bangladesh will enjoy immediate duty-free access to the Japanese market for 7,379 products. In return, Japan will receive immediate duty-free access to 1,039 products from Bangladesh. A significant aspect of the EPA is that Bangladesh’s major export products, particularly ready-made garments (RMG), will be granted duty-free access to Japan’s market from the very first day of the agreement. Additionally, Bangladesh will benefit from Single Stage Transformation provisions for RMG products. The Trade in Services sector also sees a substantial commitment from both sides. Bangladesh has agreed to open 97 sub-sectors to Japan, while Japan will open 120 sub-sectors to Bangladesh across four modes of supply. This is expected to foster increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh, along with greater technology transfer.  As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Bangladesh will, for the first time, sign an EPA with Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy. The signing of this agreement is expected to bring far-reaching trade and economic benefits for Bangladesh, including enhanced trade, investment, and employment opportunities, marking a new chapter in the nation’s economic relations with Japan.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Monday said the Osman Hadi murder case will be tried under the Speedy Trial Tribunal to ensure quick justice. In a Facebook post in the afternoon, Asif Nazrul said the trial will be held under the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002. Under Section 10 of the law, he said, the trial must be completed within a maximum of 90 days after the submission of the police report. The announcement came amid growing demand for prompt justice in the killing of Hadi. Inqilab Moncho to hold protest rally demanding immediate arrest of Hadi's killers Osman Hadi, a leading figure in the 2024 July uprising and served as spokesperson for Inquilab Moncho, was shot a day after the Election Commission announced that the next national election would take place on February 12. For advanced treatment he was airlifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18. The death triggered widespread outrage and calls for exemplary punishment of those responsible.

A labour leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) was injured in a gun attack in Khulna city on Monday, just days after the shooting of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka, which resulted in his death. The injured, identified as Motaleb Shikder, 42, organiser and divisional chief of Jatiya Sramik Shakti, is the son of Muslim Shikder, and a resident of Sheikh Para area in Khulna city. Police said miscreants shot him in the head around 11:45am. Journalist shot dead, another injured in Khulna Locals rescued him and took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, according to Sonadanga Police Station officer-in-charge Animesh Mondol. The attack comes 10 days after Osman Hadi was shot in the capital. He later died from his injuries at a Singapore hospital, triggering widespread outrage and demands for quick arrests. BNP leader shot dead in Pabna

Bangladesh Ambassador to Mexico Mushfiqul Fazal Ansery has condemned the recent attacks on media outlets in Bangladesh over differences of opinion or other reasons. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday, the envoy said they have never devoted themselves to long-term struggles at home or abroad, nor to building global public opinion, for such purposes. Referring to his experience at UN and White House briefings, he emphasised that attempts to destroy media institutions cannot be justified. “No such act can be justified. Period,” he added. Following the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi, mobs went on a rampage at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star on Thursday night, triggering widespread criticism at home and abroad. Meanwhile, law enforcers have identified 31 people directly involved in the attacks on media outlets after scrutinising video footage and have arrested nine of the accused.

Offline Indian visa services at the Assistant High Commissioner’s office in Khulna have remained suspended since Wednesday, while online processing resumed on Sunday. Security has been tightened in and around the office following the killing of Inquilab Monch spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi. On Sunday afternoon, police, navy and army personnel were deployed at Shamsur Rahman Road and in adjacent areas. Several surrounding roads were also closed, causing traffic diversions. Visa brokers said offline visa applications were halted from Wednesday afternoon due to security concerns. Online applications, which had continued initially, were temporarily suspended on Thursday afternoon following a protest programme titled “March to Indian Consulate Office”. Sadhan Sarkar, a visa broker, said applications submitted until Thursday noon began processing on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police Md Tajul Islam said police, detectives, navy and army personnel have been deployed to maintain security.  Patrols across the city have been increased and authorities remain on high alert, he added.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday visited the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park to take stock of the functioning of visa services. He also interacted with visa applicants, many of whom were applying for medical visas to travel to India for treatment. Given the ‘serious threats’ reported last week at the Indian High Commission and its installations in Bangladesh, the Indian High Commission had shut down IVAC operations for a day. The centre was later reopened, and all applicants whose appointment slots fell on that day were provided with early alternative slots. Several visa applicants are travelling to India for treatment of serious medical conditions. Keeping these humanitarian needs in mind, and despite the evolving security situation, the High Commission said it continues to operate visa centres in Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi. However, the IVAC in Chittagong remains temporarily shut following a mob attack at the entrance of the Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) in Chittagong on the night of December 18–19. Indian visa centre in Dhaka now operational During the incident, stone-pelting and threats to break the entrance created serious security concerns for AHCI officials and others residing within the same premises. During his visit to the IVAC, officials flagged problems related to the submission of a large number of fake documents, as well as disruptions caused by middlemen and touts who attempt to hack visa servers and create artificial traffic, depriving genuine applicants of appointment slots. The High Commissioner assured that these concerns would be raised with the relevant authorities in Bangladesh.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested at least nine people in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and two cultural organisations in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Seven of the arrestees were identified as Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam, according to a Facebook post by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Monday morning. Kashem, a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura, currently lives in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area. Saidur hails from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district. Rakib Hossain, from Sherpur district, was identified in video footage taking part in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He also posted images of the wreckage along with provocative messages on Facebook. Md Naim, a resident of Kunipara in Tejgaon, was arrested in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Tk 50,000 looted during the attacks. During primary interrogation, he admitted to looting Tk 123,000, part of which he used to purchase a television and a refrigerator from Mohammadpur. The items were later recovered. Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar rail-line area, has 13 cases filed against him, including drug-related charges, at different police stations in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam, arrested from the same area, has two previous cases related to arson and grenade attacks. Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the police, along with intelligence agencies, has detained two more individuals whose identities are currently being verified. At a meeting on Sunday, police informed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that primary video analysis had identified 31 suspects involved in the incidents. In Chattogram, three people who attempted to create unrest near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner were also identified from video footage. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin on Monday called for reducing tensions in Bangladesh to create a conducive environment before the next national election scheduled for February 12 next year. The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of reducing Bangladesh’s tensions with its neighbour India - the sooner the better. He said they are not interfering two countries bilateral relations but they think it will be wise to find a way so that the tension does not escalate further from the current level. Prof Yunus calls upcoming election a historic chance to shape ‘new Bangladesh’ The Ambassador said the relations should be based on mutual trust and confidence. He welcomed the election date announced by the Election Commission and said they are expecting that the election will be held on time - February 12. Regarding sending election observers, the Ambassador said they are in touch with the Election Commission and they are waiting for the official invitation from the EC. The interactive session was held at the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the law and order situation must be maintained at any cost before the upcoming national election.  The meeting, held on Sunday afternoon (December 21, 2025), discussed in detail various issues, including the return of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country, security measures taken on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Prof Yunus ordered the prompt arrest of those involved in the murder of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and other illegal activities. The issues were discussed at a meeting held at state guest house Jamuna on Sunday afternoon with Prof Yunus in the chair. The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country. Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Advisor Dr Khalilur Rahman and top officials of various security and law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting, said Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Monday. Editors’ Council, NOAB condemn arson attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star. Besides, the arrest of those involved in the murder of Inqilab Mancho spokesperson and July fighter Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi and the progress of the investigation were discussed in detail. The police informed the Chief Adviser that 31 people have already been identified through video footage on suspicion of being involved in the recent attacks on the offices of two national dailies and two cultural organizations. At least six people have been arrested in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, in these incidents till Monday morning. The arrestees are Md Kashem Farooqui, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naeem, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam. Mob incited by Elias Hossain sets fire to Daily Star office in Dhaka The operation to arrest the remaining identified suspects is underway. In addition, three of those who tried to create chaos near the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Chattogram have been identified through video footage.

Bangladesh has rejected the attempt of the Indian authorities to depict an "isolated attack" on a Bangladeshi citizen, who happens to belong to the Hindu community, as attacks on minorities. "The government of Bangladesh has promptly apprehended the suspects in this incident," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Sunday. The intercommunal situation in Bangladesh is better than in many other parts in South Asia, said the MoFA. Bangladesh believes that it is the duty of all governments in the region to ensure protection of minorities in their respective countries. Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said the fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the "horrendous killing" of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh. Jaiswal said they have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice. Bangladesh rejects India’s advice; vows free, fair polls The unjustifiable incident at the Bangladesh High Commission residence in New Delhi on 20th December 2025 is highly regrettable and cannot be accepted as “misleading propaganda”, Bangladesh said in its reaction. Dhaka thinks the miscreants were allowed to carry out their activities right outside the perimeters of the High Commission, creating panic among the personnel inside the complex. The High Commission was not given information in advance about this organised event. "We have, however, noted the commitment of the government of India to ensure the safety and security of all Bangladesh diplomatic posts in India," MoFA said in its media release.