Prime Minister Tarique Rahman prioritised Bangladesh’s national interests and highlighted the country’s democratic journey during his recent visit to the United States to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, PM’s Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday.

“After a long time, the head of a government elected by the people represented Bangladesh on the global stage. It was a strong and significant step forward for democracy. In every aspect, the Prime Minister ensured that ‘Bangladesh comes first,’” he said.

“He kept the national interest intact in the international arena, protected it to the greatest extent and highlighted Bangladesh’s democratic journey before the world,” Mahdi said while addressing a press conference on the Prime Minister’s UNGA visit at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the afternoon.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon also spoke at the press conference.

The PMO spokesperson described Tarique Rahman’s UN visit as historic.

He said the visit was brief, with one day spent travelling from Bangladesh to the United States, one day returning, and four days spent in the United States.

During those four days, the Prime Minister officially participated in 30 programmes, while there were additional unofficial meetings and engagements, Mahdi said, adding that he held formal bilateral meetings with 11 countries, delivered six speeches and gave one historic address.

Members of the delegation other than the Prime Minister attended around 50 different meetings during the four-day visit, he said.

Overall, Bangladesh was represented in more than 80 different bilateral and multilateral meetings during the visit, the adviser said.

During the visit, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with 11 countries on issues related to Bangladesh’s public welfare and national interests, he said.

The countries were Pakistan, Bhutan, the Maldives, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Thailand, Türkiye, Croatia and Haiti.

In each meeting, Tarique Rahman discussed building bilateral relations based on equality, justice and dignity, Mahdi said.

He said the Prime Minister made it clear that Bangladesh wants partnership, investment and trade with every country to ensure self-reliance, self-sufficiency and inclusive development for every citizen.

The PMO spokesperson said the visit reflected Bangladesh’s firm determination to stand tall in global diplomacy and that Bangladesh has reached a different level in the international arena through equality and justice.

“We believe that through equality and justice, Bangladesh has reached a different level in the international arena,” he said.

Mahdi said the Prime Minister established Bangladesh’s self-respect, confidence and identity, with the country’s interests, sovereignty and progress towards self-reliance reflected throughout the visit.

“Every layer reflected the interests of Bangladesh, the sovereignty of Bangladesh and the progress of a self-reliant Bangladesh,” he said.

The Prime Minister attended another important event focused on finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis, the adviser said.

He said Tarique Rahman presented five specific plans on how Rohingyas could be repatriated to their country in a safe, dignified and voluntary manner, noting that the proposals received widespread appreciation.

The discussion highlighted that the problem originating in Myanmar could be resolved in Myanmar, while the international community needs to take two simultaneous steps: create pressure and negotiate for the repatriation of the Rohingyas, and provide greater economic assistance to Bangladesh to support those currently being hosted in the country.

As the Rohingya issue is a global problem and Bangladesh has been providing the greatest humanitarian support, the international community appreciated Bangladesh for its generosity, Mahdi said.

He said the international community also appreciated the democratic government’s efforts to stand by the Rohingyas.

The Prime Minister sought support from international stakeholders and development partners, who, the adviser said, assured Bangladesh of their cooperation.

He said Tarique Rahman’s UN address marked a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history.

Mahdi said the Prime Minister represented Bangladesh as the third member of his family after his father Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and mother former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on the global body.

The PMO spokesperson also pointed out that the UN General Assembly was being presided over by the foreign minister of Tarique Rahman’s cabinet, describing the combination as unprecedented.

He said Tarique Rahman’s speech also offered a new direction for Bangladesh.

Mahdi said the Prime Minister represented a Bangladesh governed by a government elected by the people after a long period, and spoke about accountability and transparency on behalf of a government that had come to power through people’s empowerment.