United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said India needs to decide whether it will continue to allow convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders to carry out what she described as conspiratorial activities from Indian territory. "If the autocratic, fascist, convicted Awami League leaders and the head of the Awami League, sitting on Indian soil, continue to carry out such conspiratorial activities, and if the Indian government does not stop it right now, then it will certainly create a cause for concern for the people of Bangladesh," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the evening. The State Minister said discussions between the two countries would continue while urging India to be more sensitive to the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. "India needs to be more sensitive in that area and take a very intelligent decision about what it wants to do in the future," she said. The State Minister accused the Awami League (whose activities are currently banned) of attempting to revive what she described as an old political narrative linking Bangladesh to extremism. "This theory of militancy is the old dirty politics of the Awami League. They are now trying to do it again on foreign soil. Whether India will allow it or not... it is up to the Indian government to decide," she said, stressing that the AL is doing this to gain international attention. Shama expressed hope for healthy bilateral ties based on equality and mutual respect. "India is a democratic country. India itself has to decide what its foreign policy regarding Bangladesh will be. We want good relations, in the interest of the people of both countries. But the relationship has to be based on equality, with mutual respect and dignity. If India understands that, it will be good for everyone," Shama Obaed said. Rejecting allegations of militancy in Bangladesh, she said the country has an elected government supported by the people and that such claims have no credibility either domestically or internationally. She also criticised the Awami League's record on democracy and human rights. Shama Obaed said Bangladesh wants stronger relations with India but urged New Delhi to make its position clear over the activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders from Indian soil, warning that the issue could affect bilateral ties. She said Bangladesh has already conveyed its concerns through an official statement and stressed that India now needs to decide what kind of relationship it seeks with Bangladesh. "You have seen our statement. In the statement, we have said and tried to convey as much as a country can in diplomatic language. And before that, we have repeatedly said that India's position should be clear about what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh," the State Minister said. Referring to Sheikh Hasina, Shama Obaed said, "When a convicted criminal sits on Indian soil and says such things, and the Indian government allows it, then, of course, there is concern for Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh about where our relationship will stand in the future." "Now, when we hear democracy from the mouth of the Awami League, when we hear human rights from the mouth of the Awami League, it becomes a very ridiculous thing," she said, referring to allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the party's rule. Shama Obaed said the people of Bangladesh remain united against any return of what she termed fascism. Despite the concerns, the State Minister reiterated that Dhaka wants constructive engagement with New Delhi, noting that the two neighbours have a wide range of bilateral issues requiring continued dialogue. "We want our relations... because we have many issues with India, many bilateral issues—water, energy, and the border—that need to be resolved through discussion and dialogue," she said. Shama Obaed, however, emphasised that Bangladesh's relationship with India extends far beyond the current dispute. "A country has many aspects to its relationship with another country. We need to have a lot of dialogue with them, and we need to hold discussions. We have cooperation on energy, we have a major issue with them over water, and there are issues on the border - these have to be resolved through discussions," she said. On Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible participation in the BRICS Summit, the State Minister said the country remains interested in the grouping while noting that any decision on the Prime Minister's attendance at a future summit would depend on his schedule. "Bangladesh is currently chairing BIMSTEC. BRICS is a multilateral organisation in which Bangladesh is definitely interested in participating. Whether the Prime Minister will participate in it or not... that decision will have to be taken by him according to his schedule," she said.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday alleged that India is once again using deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a “tool” to influence Bangladesh. He made the remarks while addressing a programme organised by the Shaheed July Smriti Sangsad at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising. The event included financial assistance for families of those killed in the movement and a remembrance session. Rizvi, also BNP senior joint secretary general, said allowing Hasina to address a press conference on Wednesday was a “planned” move. “The country that claims to be the world's largest democracy has patronised this. Through this, Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence have been insulted. Permission was deliberately granted to disrespect Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that India previously sought to control Bangladesh through Hasina but is no longer able to do so. “That is why Hasina is once again being used as a tool. The bloodthirsty monster has been driven out of Bangladesh. Now, a question has arisen can a fugitive convict engage in politics from the country where she has taken refuge? India has given her shelter, let her stay there. But from there, audio messages and statements are continuously being sent to create instability inside Bangladesh,” he said. Rizvi further alleged that Hasina was formally allowed to speak on the very date marking her ouster from power. “The Bangladesh government protested this. But the Indian government said it had no connection with the event. However, such a programme cannot be held without government approval. Without a government green signal, how could a fugitive convict and her son hold a press conference?” he said. The BNP leader also claimed that if Hasina returns to Bangladesh, the country will once again witness “bloodshed and she will spare no one.” Referring to the Awami League government, he alleged that there had been no fair justice during Hasina’s tenure. Rizvi claimed that judges who attempted to deliver impartial verdicts risked enforced disappearance or had to flee the country to save their lives.

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.