United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh is pursuing a forward-looking approach in its engagement with New Delhi and that the Indian government will have to clear whether it supports the planned online meeting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don't want it to be damaged, and I firmly believe that India doesn't want it either. So, India has to clear whether it is supporting it or not,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to know about Hasina’s planned virtual programme in New Delhi, scheduled for August 5. Hasina will be arrested whenever she comes to Bangladesh: Shama Obaed The State Minister referred to the recent meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi and said they want the Bangladesh-India relationship to improve. “You saw that we had a very cordial meeting with the new High Commissioner who came here. We had a lot of good discussions.” Indian media reported that Hasina is set to make her first public appearance in India exactly two years after she fled the country following a massive student-led protest. According to multiple media reports, Hasina will attend a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi. “We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that," said the State Minister. Responding to a separate question, she said Bangladesh could communicate with the Indian government if it considers it necessary over the reported event in India on August 5 involving Hasina, while stressing that Dhaka does not want the issue to undermine bilateral relations. The State Minister, however, said the reported programme is not being organised by the Indian government and Dhaka would decide on any diplomatic communication if circumstances required. "If we think it is necessary, the government will contact the relevant foreign ministry," she said. Asked whether Bangladesh would formally protest or seek an explanation from New Delhi before the reported event, Shama Obaed said the Indian government is not organising the programme. Referring to Hasina and other Awami League leaders staying abroad, the State Minister said Bangladesh has repeatedly conveyed its position to India that fugitives or convicted individuals should not use Indian soil for political activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh. She said the issue has been raised both verbally and in writing during bilateral engagements. Shama Obaed also referred to recent remarks by the Indian government, saying New Delhi had indicated it did not expect a fugitive accused to make political statements from Indian territory. She said political activities by fugitives from India that sought to create instability in Bangladesh could negatively affect bilateral relations. "It can. But we don't want that," she said when asked whether such programmes could damage ties between the two neighbours. On Bangladesh's broader foreign policy, Shama Obaed said the country would maintain balanced relations with all partners based on its national interests. "Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country," she said. "We will maintain relations with everyone while protecting Bangladesh's interests." Shama Obaed said Dhaka would continue to engage with India, China and other countries in areas including trade, investment and bilateral cooperation. Asked about an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September, she indicated that no decision had yet been made. "Time will tell.... I can’t tell you now," she said, adding that the Prime Minister would decide on overseas visits at an appropriate time. The State Minister mentioned two separate invitations extended to the Prime Minister in February and the recent one, and said the Prime Minister is spending 24 hours a day on Bangladesh's affairs. “So, time will tell when, how and in which country he will take a decision.” India, which is going to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, last month invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the important event, which will focus on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development. Inviting his Bangladesh counterpart and his family to visit India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February said Bangladesh and India can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security, and enable mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies. “I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said in a letter that was handed over to Prime Minister Tarique in February this year.

India's "Cockroach" movement on Saturday announced an end to its weeks-long nationwide protests after the government accepted its key demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in the country's education system. Pradhan confirmed his resignation in a post on X, delivering a major victory to the youth-led movement that organized demonstrations, sit-ins and hunger strikes across India. The resignation marks one of the most significant concessions made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in response to sustained public protests during his more than 12 years in office. The movement began over a month ago following allegations of paper leaks in several major entrance examinations. Initially focused on education reforms, it soon expanded into a broader campaign demanding greater government accountability, more employment opportunities and improved economic prospects. Students, professionals, parents and activists participated in protests in New Delhi and several other cities. Following the minister's resignation, organizers said the government had also agreed to implement wider education reforms, compensate the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the exam leak controversy, and refrain from taking legal action against those who took part in the demonstrations. "We urge everyone to peacefully withdraw from protest sites," Ashutosh Ranka, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, which launched the movement, told reporters in New Delhi.  

India on Friday launched its first domestically built hydrogen-powered train, marking a major step in the country's efforts to promote clean energy across its railway network. The new train, consisting of two hydrogen-powered driving cars and eight passenger coaches, will operate in the northern state of Haryana. Railway officials said it can reach a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour and carry up to 2,600 passengers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the "NaMo Green Rail" service at Jind railway station in Haryana. "NaMo" is a commonly used abbreviation of Modi's name. Calling it an important milestone, Modi said in a post on X that the launch reflects India's progress towards self-reliance and sustainable development. The pilot project also includes hydrogen storage and refuelling facilities to test the technology for wider use on the country's railway network, officials said. Hydrogen fuel cell technology produces electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapour being the only direct emission. Several countries have already introduced hydrogen-powered trains as a cleaner alternative to diesel on railway routes that are not fully electrified. The launch is part of India's wider plan to expand the use of green hydrogen and reduce carbon emissions. The country has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, and Indian Railways is exploring hydrogen-powered trains as an environmentally friendly replacement for diesel services on selected routes.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said the issue related to the renewal of the Bangladesh-India Ganges Water Treaty is moving in a positive direction. "I think it is moving in a positive direction. I hope India will understand its importance and come forward accordingly," she told reporters when her attention was drawn to the renewal of the treaty. The Bangladesh-India Ganges Water Treaty, which is expiring in December this year, needs to be "reviewed and reformed comprehensively" before going for a renewed treaty by engaging economists, urban planners, sociologists, and environmentalists in the planning, as Dhaka shares the "risk" of not sharing it appropriately, experts said. Officials said Bangladesh's agriculture and food availability will be badly affected, while climate vulnerability will increase substantially if the treaty is allowed to expire with no new sharing agreement in place. The Ganges Water Treaty was signed on December 12, 1996, for a period of 30 years, which makes this the last year covered by it. Bangladesh and India share 54 rivers including the Ganges. To discuss all relevant issues that form part of this cooperation, the two countries have a bilateral mechanism in place, the Joint Rivers Commission. Given the willingness and interest of both sides to reset the relationship, an arrangement for sharing the Ganges waters in an "equitable and climate-proof manner" will be one of the first tests of the reset. Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq A. Karim said the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India showed that cooperation is possible even on sensitive issues. "But the treaty is due to expire in December 2026, and its renewal will test whether the region can adapt old agreements to new hydrological and climatic realities," he said while speaking at a seminar recently. The former diplomat, who also served as Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA, said, "Across the wider region, water, food, energy, health, disaster management, and climate resilience are regional public goods. No country can secure them alone." The former diplomat said the compulsions of ecological integrity may therefore be South Asia's strongest argument for renewed cooperation. He said the region should consider shared river-basin management, early-warning systems, climate adaptation financing, joint research, and a regional ecological security dialogue. "Such cooperation would not require states to surrender sovereignty. It would require them to recognise that sovereignty in an age of climate stress is strengthened - not weakened - by cooperation achieved through its pooling," said the foreign affairs expert. "MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has to do a lot of homework, and data sharing is key. We need to keep in mind that the situation in 1996 and 2026 is not the same. This can't be seen only from engineering or diplomatic prisms; they should include economists, urban planners, and sociologists in the planning," international affairs expert Prof. Shahab Enam Khan told UNB recently.    

Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Saturday, officials said. The aircraft went down near Jorhat in Assam, the Indian Air Force said in a statement posted on social media platform X. Visuals from the crash site showed debris scattered across a field following the accident. The IAF expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said it stood in solidarity with them during this difficult time. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the crash, and further details are awaited. The incident comes months after two Indian Air Force pilots were killed in March when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a routine training sortie in Assam.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Saturday said Bangladesh wants cooperation and good working relations with India based on mutual respect despite the challenges that the relationship is facing. "We want cooperation with India, but it must be based on mutual respect. We should have a good working relationship with India," he said while responding to a question during a panel discussion. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education Mahdi Amin also spoke, with the discussion moderated by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud, among others, spoke at the event. The Adviser said it is the norm of diplomacy to regularise working relationships within the neighborhood, and the government intends to do that. "You know, we've made a visit. We expect visits to Dhaka, and either way, we will build the visibility of a working relationship with India. We intend to do that. But the environment must be conducive to accommodating this approach." Adviser Humaiun Kobir said there are challenges in the relationship, and there has been a "tremendous deficit" in the relationship that they picked up over the last 15 years. "It was one way, and it was not done with the interests of the people of Bangladesh in mind," he said. He, however, said they remain positive, given the recent visit of Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to New Delhi. Adviser Humaiun Kobir was part of the visit. The Adviser highlighted the positive mindset of the leadership of both countries, who are committed to moving forward and making progress. "We can do that. And it can be achievable. Of course, there are challenges. There are always challenges. When you have a terrorist who has fled from Bangladesh after killing one and a half thousand people, and who, to date, has shown no remorse and is trying to destabilise the country from over there, of course, there are challenges," Humaiun Kobir said.

Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said they refuse to look at India through the distorted,  hypersensitive lens of 20th-century geopolitics.  Instead, he said, the Rastriya Swatantra Party wants to shift the entire vocabulary of Nepal-India relations away from geopolitical friction and square it firmly on development and diplomacy. "We look at India with an open heart, clear eyes, and a single transparent agenda: the economic transformation of Nepal," said the Nepalese Foreign Minister in New Delhi on Sunday. He had "productive" bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart Dr S. Jaishankar on June 6. The Nepalese Foreign Minister said when they look across the border, they see a rising India, an India that has fundamentally and beautifully redefined itself on the global stage as a dynamic, fast-growing tech and economic powerhouse. "We want to engage with this India of intense aspiration, cutting-edge technology, and relentless execution. In turn, we bring the energy of aspiring Nepal," he said. The Nepalese Foreign Minister said their primary responsibility is to close the gap between old promises made on paper and the physical reality delivered on the ground,  transitioning away from abstract political statements to deliver measurable, life-changing results. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal undertook an official visit to India starting 5th June 2026 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. This was the first visit at the level of Foreign Minister between the two countries since the new government assumed office in Nepal in March 2026. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the visit reinforced the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two close and friendly neighbours. It provided an opportunity to exchange views on enhancing the bilateral partnership to fulfill the aspirations of peoples from both countries, and has imparted fresh vigour to our efforts towards this objective. The two Ministers reviewed the full spectrum of India-Nepal bilateral relations covering development cooperation, connectivity, trade and transit, energy, and people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. The Ministers expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors and welcomed the recent initiatives to enhance co-operation in areas of innovation and startups; digital and financial technology; and training and capacity building. They agreed to intensify efforts towards further enhancing the multifaceted India-Nepal partnership to take it to new heights. Both Ministers welcomed the completion of internal processes for entry into force of the India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters (MLAA). This agreement will benefit the people of India and Nepal by providing an institutional legal framework to enhance the effectiveness of investigation, prosecution and judicial proceedings relating to cross-border crimes. Following the bilateral talks: (i)External Affairs Minister of India handed over to Foreign Minister of Nepal, 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage sector projects, completed under India’s post-2015 ‘Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance’ to Nepal. (ii)The Ministers jointly launched the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) linkage between Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and National Payments Interface (NPI) of Nepal for facilitating cross-border personal remittances between India and Nepal. (iii)The Ministers witnessed the signing of MoU between Digital India Bhashini and Kathmandu University for co-creating National Digital Infrastructure for “Voice First” Language Translation platform; The discussions were held in a warm, friendly and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the unique and special ties between the two countries. During the visit, Foreign Minister Khanal also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Amid push-in bids along the border, India has said all foreign nationals in India including those from Bangladesh will be dealt with as per the law if they are living there illegally. "All foreign nationals in India, if they are here illegally, including those from Bangladesh, we have laws to deal with them and they will be dealt with accordingly," Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi during a regular briefing on Friday. As far as the deportation of these people is concerned, he said, there is a bilateral mechanism in place. "And once we refer these cases to the Bangladeshi side for verification of the nationality of these people, and once it is verified, then we take forward the deportation process," said the MEA spokesperson. "We have several, or many, of these requests which are still pending with the Bangladeshi side," Jaiswal said, expressing hope that they will be expedited as soon as possible so that the deportation of people who are illegally staying in India can be carried out in a smooth and efficient manner. Responding to a question, he said they want to further strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh and take them in a positive direction. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said they foiled attempts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 95 people into Bangladesh through separate border points in six districts over the past 24 hours until Saturday morning.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said d the prospect of maintaining good relations between Bangladesh and India largely depends on the renewal or conclusion of the Ganges water-sharing agreement, commonly known as the Farakka Treaty. He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by BNP marking the Historic Farakka Day as the chief guest. The discussion was presided over by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Fakhrul said Farakka Day symbolises resistance and recalled the role of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, who had led movements throughout his life for the welfare of  people without compromising with power. “Maulana Bhashani raised resistance to protect the livelihood, biodiversity and environment of the people of Bangladesh,” he said. He said the Ganges or Padma River is directly linked to the lives and livelihoods of nearly one-third of Bangladesh’s population and the Farakka Barrage had long threatened the country’s ecology and environment. Referring to BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul said Zia had internationalised the issue by mobilising public opinion and raising it on the global stage. Fakhrul alleged that Bangladesh’s problems began after then Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman allowed India in 1973 to experimentally divert water through the Farakka Barrage. He also mentioned that later efforts regarding water-sharing agreements were made by former president Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Fakhrul said a short-term agreement would not be enough.“This treaty must be for an indefinite period and remain effective until any future agreement replaces it,” he said. The BNP leader said no demand could ever be realised unless people become united behind it. “Maulana Bhashani united people over the Farakka issue, which later made it possible for Ziaur Rahman to implement an agreement,” he said. Fakhrul said the current Ganges Treaty is set to expire on December 2026 and warned that failure to renew the agreement or ensure water flow would create serious concerns for Bangladesh. “I thank our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who has taken a quick decision to move forward with the Padma Barrage project.This is a historic decision that will help protect vast areas of the country,” he said. Fakhrul claimed that the government led by Tarique Rahman is a people’s government elected through a legitimate democratic process. He alleged that certain groups are carrying out propaganda against the government and trying to destabilise the country. “The people of Bangladesh who earned democracy through sacrifice will never allow any conspiracy to raise its head,” he said. Fakhrul said Bangladesh expects immediate discussions over the Farakka Treaty in consideration of the interests of the Bangladeshi people. He also asserted that Bangladesh would never allow any agreement that undermines the country’s interests. “We believe Tarique Rahman’s government will always prioritise Bangladesh’s interests above everything else,” Fakhrul added. Among the special guests were BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member and Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ataur Rahman Dhali. Among the discussants were Emeritus Professor and water resources and climate change expert Dr Ainun Nishat, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, BUET Professor Dr Md Ataur Rahman, and Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr Nahrin Islam Khan. Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka Central University Prof Dr Md Nurul Islam presented the keynote paper at the event.  

Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan were among the countries repeatedly battered by monsoon-triggered floods and landslides in 2025, as disaster risks continued to intensify across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, according to an analysis by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Four of the eight countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region experienced more than 10 major disasters in 2025, according to data from ICIMOD analysis, highlighting the region’s growing exposure to hazard-related risks. Asia accounted for a large share of disasters globally in 2025, a trend reflected in the HKH, which spans parts of South and East Asia. Analysis of EM-Data (Emergency Events Database) shows that countries in the HKH region experienced economic losses of more than USD $6 billion in 2024 alone from these events, with most damage linked to water-related hazards such as floods, landslides and storms, said the HKH, noting that the situation continued into 2025. Other hazards, such as glacial lake outburst floods, were also reported in select locations. Across the region, about 1.2 million people were displaced or directly affected by disasters during the year. Globally, disaster-related economic losses in 2025 were estimated at more than USD $169 billion. In comparison, losses recorded across the HKH highlight how extreme events translate into disproportionate impacts in a region characterised by complex terrain and high exposure. Data also shows that Myanmar, Pakistan, and China experienced a series of monsoon-induced floods in 2025, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Researchers link the increasing impact of disasters in the HKH to the growing prevalence of multi-hazard events. Multi-hazards occur when more than one type of hazard, such as floods, landslides, or droughts, happen at the same time or when one hazard triggers another. Past examples in the region include the Kedarnath floods in Uttarakhand in 2013, and the South Lhonak glacial lake outburst flood in Sikkim in 2023, India, as well as the Melamchi flood in Nepal in 2021. “Recent years show how floods, landslides, and other hazards are increasingly overlapping in mountain regions, amplifying damages to homes, infrastructure, and essential services,” said Pema Gyamtsho, Director General at ICIMOD, commenting on the regional trend. Long-term data covering the period from 1975 to 2024 shows a decline in death rates and the number of people affected by disasters in the HKH after 2013. Analysts caution that data gaps may influence this trend, but improvements in preparedness and early warning systems may also be contributing factors. “The numbers are still worrying, but the post-2013 trend suggests fewer lives are being affected year on year, which may reflect better climate services and preparedness in parts of the region,” said Manish Shrestha, a hydrologist at ICIMOD. “Sustained investment in preparedness and planning remains critical as risks continue to rise.” Early warning systems have been credited with reducing losses in some flood-prone areas. In eastern Nepal, alerts issued from a flood early warning system along the Khando River in 2024 helped inform and evacuate around 60,000 people living downstream. Analysts note that reducing future disaster losses in the HKH will also depend on risk‑informed investments, where development and infrastructure planning take multi‑hazard risks into account. Without integrating hazard and vulnerability data into investment decisions, exposed communities risk locking in higher losses as climate‑driven extremes intensify. Experts warn that multi‑hazard risks are likely to intensify in the coming years as climate change alters weather patterns and increases the frequency and severity of extreme events, leaving exposed communities across the HKH vulnerable to escalating losses.