United News of Bangladesh

The city of Yekaterinburg, Russia is hosting the International Festival of Youth (IFY-2026) from September 11 to 17, bringing together 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, including Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s participation is set to be substantial, with around 90 delegates planned to represent the country. As part of the festival, from September 13 to 16, the ‘Media Stream’ programme will be of particular interest to Bangladeshi delegates working in media, journalism, content creation, and creative industries. The programme brings together leading bloggers, journalists, producers, scientists, and artists from around the world to discuss the future of the media industry. Bangladeshi participants will have the opportunity to engage in panel discussions on pressing questions: What attracts young foreigners to Russia today? Does culture really remain one of the key tools for promoting international dialogue? What research projects and Russian technologies are in demand globally? And how can critical thinking and a value-based worldview be preserved in the era of deepfakes and rapid social media spread? The Bangladesh delegation among many others includes Halima Yesmin Mukta, a Master’s student in Tourism and Sports Management and a fully funded participant who plans to launch her own venture in Bangladesh. "I feel immensely proud to showcase Bangladesh, its culture, and its potential on such a grand platform," she said. Another delegate, Md Omar Faruk Joy, youth organiser from Cox’s Bazar and founder of We Can Cox’s Bazar, is proud to showcase Bangladesh’s culture and potential, while Joy looks forward to exchanging experiences and gaining inspiration for his community work. India ranks among the top countries by the number of delegates (194), alongside Argentina, Brazil, China, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Among the confirmed Indian delegates is Amit Kothawade, who developed a COVID-19 contact-tracing app during the pandemic and now leads a startup ecosystem of 35,000 projects at a government agency. Other Indian participants include Sultana Bilquis, a RUDN postgraduate student in Russian Literature and cultural programme participant, and blogger Jaideep Sakhiya, a Skill India Master Trainer and founder of The Media Lab, who credits his participation in WYF 2024 as a turning point that inspired his focus on creating meaningful content, among many others. The IFY-2026 follows a sector-based format, with participants representing eight professional fields: media, creative industries, public administration, science and education, sport, entrepreneurship, digitalisation and IT, social sector. Confirmed international guests include Christian Knapp (USA), conductor at the Mariinsky Theatre; pianist and blogger Lorenzo Bagnati (Italy); theater and film actor Aleksandar Radojičić (Serbia); President of TV BRICS Africa Ayanda Hollow (South Africa); film producer and director Liu Xuan (China), to name but a few, said a media release. Key Russian speakers include Maria Zakharova, Official Spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Andrey Timonov, Director of the Communications Department of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom; head of RT China Vsevolod Pulya; singer Tatyana Kurtukova; Aleksey Goreslavsky, Director General of the Internet Development Institute; Dmitry Uvarov, Director for Strategic Partnerships at VK, and pranksters Vovan and Lexus; among many others. Highlights of the ‘Media Stream’ program will include a meet-the-artist session with a famous actor and producer Miloš Biković, who has starred in movies such as Red Silk, Serf, The Challenge, The Balkan Line, and Ice. He will answer questions about the acting profession, trends in the film industry, and his connection to Russia. The session will be moderated by acclaimed director, producer, and screenwriter Klim Shipenko. The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has called for keeping trade, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and India moving forward, saying such issues should not be held back by political developments. Talking to reporters after a cultural programme in Dhaka on Friday evening, he said issues would continue to be discussed between the two countries, but issues such as the Maitree Express, the Ganges Water Treaty, trade and cultural exchanges should not be allowed to get stuck. “These are the things of ordinary people," said the High Commissioner, highlighting the importance of keeping the people at the centre. The High Commissioner said trade restrictions from both sides have to be liberalised. Otherwise, he noted, the people will suffer. He said there is no need to rush and the political process will take its own course. But the work that concerns ordinary people must continue, Trivedi said. Trivedi was speaking about the importance of peace and harmony in the region and beyond, referring to the teachings of Lalon Fakir and the traditions of Buddhism and Sufism. “The world is facing a lot of unrest at this moment. When I talk about the lamp and the lighthouse, I am not talking only about Bangladesh or India; I am talking about the entire subcontinent,” he said. The High Commissioner said the region's diverse religious and spiritual traditions could contribute to the cause of global peace. “There is Buddhism here, there is Sufism, and all religions are the same. We can all live together and work together for peace in the world,” Trivedi said. Expressing optimism about the future, he said positive change might take time but there must be a beginning. “I have a lot of optimism, and I am absolutely confident. It will take time, but we have to make a good beginning,” he said. On the political issues between Bangladesh and India, Trivedi said there was no need to repeatedly discuss matters that were already under consideration at the highest level. “I am completely confident that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh knows what has to be done, where and when. It is his prerogative, and we should leave it to him to decide when he considers it appropriate,” he said. Trivedi said India would continue to focus on areas that could move forward without being affected by political considerations. “My responsibility is to ensure that the work does not stop, but I cannot do it alone,” he said. He stressed the need for the relevant technical committees of the two countries to work on easing trade restrictions and improving economic exchanges. The High Commissioner attended the inaugural ceremony of the Kabir-Lalon Bhabsangeet Utsav, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, as special guest. The event was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India cannot be a multilateral visit and the government is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive. He stressed that Bangladesh is placing greater emphasis on a bilateral visit by the Prime Minister and discussions. Kobir said such a bilateral visit will take place when the environment is conducive and mutual respect is maintained. “There is no need to rush things.” Responding to a question about the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, the State Minister said, “Wherever our national interest is involved, we will act with importance and competence. We will prioritise the interests and well-being of our country.” Kobir said there is no scope for Bangladesh to send a government representative to the BRICS Summit, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation was instead extended to the BIMSTEC Chair. “How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?” he told reporters, ruling out the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attending the BRICS Summit.

Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal is set to leave Dhaka tonight to attend the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. A five-member parliamentary delegation, led by Kayser Kamal, will represent Bangladesh at the conference, scheduled to take place from September 13 to 19. BNP lawmakers Humam Quader Chowdhury and Shakila Farzana and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Mahbubul Alam are members of the delegation. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan will serve as the secretary of the delegation. During the conference, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal is scheduled to hold separate bilateral meetings with Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Premier of the South African Western Cape province Alan Winde. The Bangladesh delegation is scheduled to return to Dhaka on September 20, said a release from the Parliament Secretariat.

A total of 47 Bangladeshi nationals, including four women, returned home through the Benapole checkpost Thursday night after serving two years in an Indian prison. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members handed them over to Benapole Immigration Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at around 8 p.m. The returnees, comprising 43 men and four women, hail from various areas across Narail, Gopalganj and Satkhira districts. Saifur Rahman, Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge (OC), said the individuals had illegally entered Tamil Nadu state two and a half years ago through human traffickers in hopes of finding better employment. They were arrested by local police while working in various households. Upon completing their two-year court-mandated prison sentences, they were kept in private shelter homes at Attur in Salem and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) camp in Tamil Nadu. They returned home Thursday evening under special travel permits issued by the Indian government following diplomatic communication between the foreign ministries of both countries. After completing immigration formalities, police transferred the returnees to Benapole Port Police Station. Three non-governmental organizations-Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association, Rights Jashore and Justice & Care-received them from the police station to reunite them with their respective families.      

The first High Commissioner of Bangladesh to New Zealand, Samina Naz, has presented her letter of credence to Governor General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, reaffirming the commitment of the government of Bangladesh to taking the Bangladesh-New Zealand bilateral relations at new heights. The letter of credence was presented at a special ceremony held at the Government House in Wellington, New Zealand on Wednesday. Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and New Zealand date back to 1972. Recognising the growing number of expatriate Bangladeshis in New Zealand and with a view to infuse new momentum in the bilateral relations, the government of Bangladesh decided to establish a diplomatic mission in New Zealand in 2025.

Algeria’s Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab held a videoconference meeting on Thursday with Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, where they discussed ways on exploring mechanisms and arrangements for supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi side expressed interest in entering into LNG purchase and supply agreements with Algeria, considering their state-owned giant Sonatrach’s position as a reliable and strategic supplier in the international gas market, said the Algerian Embassy in Dhaka. Algerian Embassy commemorates National Mujahid Day in Dhaka The meeting was attended by Noureddine Daoudi, President and CEO of Sonatrach Group, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Algeria, the CEOs of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla), Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), and Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), along with officials from both countries. According to Algeria’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the two sides discussed ways to expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly in the hydrocarbons and energy sectors. The two sides also reviewed opportunities for establishing partnerships between Sonatrach and Bangladeshi companies operating in the energy sector. The objective is to support Bangladesh’s growing energy demand and ensure a stable supply of LNG, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other petroleum products. They explored possibilities for cooperation in developing the necessary energy infrastructure related to LNG and other petroleum products. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreed areas of cooperation and moving towards concrete agreements through the formation of a Joint Working Group. The group will follow up on various related matters and facilitate stronger economic and energy cooperation between Bangladesh and Algeria.

Speakers at a dialogue on Thursday called for collective efforts to tackle digital and AI-facilitated violence against women, stressing the need to ensure their everyday safety online as technology-enabled abuse is evolving faster than the law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought ministers, members of parliament and civil society leaders together at a city hotel to examine legal, technical and institutional responses to the growing use of artificial intelligence to harass, defame and endanger women online. The meeting was part of Bangladesh’s efforts to establish the Dhaka Dialogue, a government-led platform introduced at the 10th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa on April 20, 2026. The initiative seeks to address gaps in shared definitions, political attention, legal and technical capacity, evidence and partnerships - areas that no single government or company can address alone.

Bangladesh and Norway on Thursday discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, renewable energy, maritime affairs, fisheries, climate change, green transition, technology transfer and environmentally sound ship recycling. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening  their partnership both bilaterally and multilaterally with the objective to enhancing cooperation across wide range of issues of mutual interest. Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen paid a courtesy call on Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the issues. The State Minister expressed his deep condolences on the passing of King Harald V, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also extended his warm felicitations to King Haakon VIII on his accession to the Norwegian throne. The State Minister highlighted the importance of greater exchange of high-level visits to enhance the visibility and momentum of bilateral relations. He particularly sought the support of Norway to expand and accelerate its investment in the renewable energy sector of Bangladesh. The Ambassador appreciated the government’s efforts towards democratic reforms and expressed Norway’s interest in working together on renewable energy initiatives. He also appreciated Bangladesh’s generous efforts in hosting the Rohingyas and reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh in multilateral fora towards their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar. Ambassador Gulbrandsen congratulated the State Minister on his assumption of office and expressed confidence that the longstanding and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Norway would continue to deepen further.

Bangladesh on Thursday strongly condemned Israel’s plan to advance settlement construction in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank. Such actions are contrary to international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and further undermine the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory and prospects for a viable two-state solution, it said. Bangladesh, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called upon Israel to immediately halt all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory and reiterates its unwavering support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Bangladesh urged the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent actions that undermine Palestinian statehood and to advance a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on international law and the two-state solution. Bangladesh stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and remains committed to supporting their legitimate aspirations for freedom, dignity, justice and statehood, said the statement.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday said there is no scope for Bangladesh to send a government representative to the BRICS Summit, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation was instead extended to the BIMSTEC Chair. “How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?” he told reporters, ruling out the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attending the BRICS Summit. Responding to a question at the Foreign Service Academy, Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India cannot be a multilateral visit. He said the government is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive, stressing that Bangladesh is placing greater emphasis on a bilateral visit by the Prime Minister and discussions. Kobir said such a bilateral visit will take place when the environment is conducive and mutual respect is maintained. “There is no need to rush things.” Responding to a question about the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, the State Minister said, “Wherever our national interest is involved, we will act with importance and competence. We will prioritise the interests and well-being of our country.” In April 2025, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development. BIMSTEC consists of seven member countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. On August 4, India confirmed that an invitation had been extended to Prime Minister Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year. “You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi recently. As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. “The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner,” the MEA spokesperson said. BRICS member states and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will attend the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi, India, on September 12-13. The United Nations in India confirmed his participation in a post on its verified Facebook page on Wednesday. As BRICS Chair 2026, India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Summit will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees. India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of “Humanity First.” In addition to these areas, the leaders will exchange views on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and share perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual importance. Under India’s Chairship this year, over 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held in over 25 cities across India to further strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership across three fundamental pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, said the host country. Through these engagements, as well as business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives, India’s BRICS Chairship has contributed to advancing BRICS cooperation through practical and development-oriented outcomes. India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held its Chairship three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2021. India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026. The year 2026 also marks a significant milestone as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment.