United News of Bangladesh

Earlier this year, a video by an Indian travel influencer criticizing the weak power of the Indian passport went viral. He pointed out that while countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka are welcoming to Indian tourists, getting visas to most Western and European destinations remains difficult. His frustration mirrors the findings of the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free travel access. India slipped five places this year to the 85th spot out of 199 countries, marking another decline in global mobility. The Indian government has yet to comment on the report. The BBC has reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs for clarification. Countries with smaller economies—such as Rwanda (78th), Ghana (74th), and Azerbaijan (72nd)—rank higher than India, despite India being the world’s fifth-largest economy. Over the past decade, India’s passport ranking has generally stayed in the 80s, even falling to 90th in 2021. This contrasts sharply with Asian nations like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which have consistently dominated the top positions. Read more: Getting e-passport without police verification in Bangladesh: Documents, fees, and online application process For the second consecutive year, Singapore topped the list, offering visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). In comparison, Indian passport holders can visit 57 countries visa-free, sharing the 85th position with Mauritania. A Reflection of Soft Power and Global Influence Passport rankings reflect not only travel convenience but also a nation’s soft power, diplomatic ties, and global reputation. A weak passport means more paperwork, higher visa costs, fewer privileges, and longer approval times. However, despite the drop in rank, the number of countries granting visa-free access to Indian citizens has increased over the years. In 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP came to power, Indians had visa-free access to 52 countries, and the passport ranked 76th. By 2024, that number rose to 62 countries, though India’s rank still slipped to 85th in 2025. Experts say this decline is mainly due to growing global competition. More countries are signing reciprocal visa-free agreements to boost tourism and trade. According to Henley & Partners’ 2025 report, the average number of visa-free destinations worldwide has nearly doubled—from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025. Read more: Digital Nomad Visas in Europe in 2026: Top 10 European Countries China, for instance, has expanded its visa-free access from 50 to 82 countries in the past decade, improving its rank from 94th to 60th. India’s ranking, meanwhile, dropped from 77th in July 2025 to 85th in October, after losing visa-free access to two countries. Beyond Diplomacy: Other Factors at Play Former Indian ambassador Achal Malhotra says that factors such as political stability, security, and openness to foreign citizens also influence a country’s passport strength. For example, the U.S. passport, once among the most powerful, has fallen to 12th place, partly due to its inward-looking foreign policy. Mr Malhotra notes that in the 1970s, Indians could travel visa-free to many Western nations, but that changed after the Khalistan movement in the 1980s, which raised concerns about India’s internal stability. Read more: 7 Most Affordable Countries for Citizenship by Investment in 2026 He adds that high emigration rates and cases of visa overstays have made some nations more cautious about granting Indians visa-free access. Moreover, issues such as passport fraud and slow immigration processes also affect India’s standing. In 2024, Delhi Police arrested 203 individuals for alleged passport and visa fraud. A Path Forward Technological advances like India’s new e-passport, which stores biometric data on a secure chip, could help strengthen document security and streamline border checks. But experts agree that diplomatic outreach and bilateral travel agreements will be crucial for improving the global mobility of Indian citizens—and restoring the strength of the Indian passport on the world stage. Source: BBC Read more: Bangladesh moves up one step in global passport strength index

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said they want to see a free, fair, inclusive and participatory election in Bangladesh at the earliest possible time. The Indian Foreign Secretary said they are ready to work with the democratically elected government following the results of an inclusive and participatory election. He made the remarks while interacting with the visiting delegation of Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi. Senior officials of the MEA, DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun were present. India bins Bangladesh Home Adviser’s remarks as 'false, baseless' During nearly an hour-long interaction, the Indian Foreign Secretary responded to questions on bilateral issues, border issues, water sharing issues and issues related to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is staying in India. The Foreign Secretary acknowledged that there are some issues which are natural in any relationship.

In Fatullah of Narayanganj Sadar, a truck lost control on Monday and part of it fell from an overpass on the Narayanganj-Dhaka Link Road. A rickshaw driver, who was not involved in the accident, was killed. The rickshaw driver was identified as Mohar Uddin, 35. The accident occurred around noon at Bhui Ghar area in Sadar upazila. The truck driver and his assistant managed to flee the scene. Several others who were under the bridge at the time sustained injuries and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment. Eyewitnesses said that the empty truck was traveling from Chashara towards Signboard around 1:30pm during heavy rain. Moving at high speed, the truck lost control near Bhui Ghar bus stand, hit the western side of the overbridge, and fell onto the road below. Mohar Uddin, a rickshaw driver passing nearby, was struck by the broken railing falling off the overpass and seriously injured. Narayanganj blast: 14-year-old girl dies, third victim in family Locals took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but doctors declared him dead around 3:30pm. Faruk Ahmed, officer-in-charge of the DMC police post, confirmed Mohar Uddin’s death. Md Hasinuzzaman , Additional Superintendent of Police of Narayanganj, said, “No other injuries have been reported so far. The truck has been removed from the road. Police are searching for the truck driver and his assistant, and an investigation is underway.”

India walk into the Asia Cup final with two convincing wins over Pakistan already in the bag. Pakistan managed a ticket for the final with something rarer: momentum salvaged when things looked shaky. Strip away the noise about handshakes, hearings and history, and tonight looks like a test of temperament — how each side copes with the first six overs and just as crucially, the last five. Start with the Powerplay: India have often sprinted to 50 inside five overs, with opening batter Abhishek Sharma throwing punches early and Shubman Gill timing his strokes. That cushion has spared a middle order that hasn’t always been fluent. Pakistan know the calculation: If Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf don’t crack India’s top two in the first 18 balls, they’re left chasing angles for the next dozen overs. Shaheen looks closer to his old self — tailing the ball in, hitting the deck hard, and finding wickets in the first over. Rauf, sometimes criticised in the longer format, is better suited to T20 bursts: one over in the Powerplay, another around the 12th, just to jolt rhythm. If Pakistan can take out one opener and push Suryakumar Yadav’s entry into the spinners’ stretch, they tilt the tempo their way. ICC warns Indian cricketer Suryakumar to steer clear of politics after Pakistan complaint Flip it around, and India’s start with Jasprit Bumrah is all about control. He doesn’t always blast doors open; more often he keeps them locked. His 18-for-2 the other night showed how quickly he can put a chase on hold. That sets up the Kuldeep–Varun combination to operate without chasing wickets. Dot balls early, and Pakistan’s middle order is forced to gamble against turn. The closing overs bring a different kind of strain. India have generally finished better — either because they’re ahead by the 15th over, or by nailing their yorker-and-slower-ball routines. When they slip, it’s often around the 17th, when a chase suddenly breathes again. Pakistan have lived the reverse: scraping to par scores, then defending them by clamping the final five overs. Shaheen tends to return clear-eyed, Rauf unleashes the bouncer, and a third option — maybe Abrar or a seamer — cleans up the margins. Selection calls feed into that temperament test. India are likely to bring back Bumrah and Shivam Dube after a rest. Dube didn’t click in his last tactical move but still offers a seam option and reach at the finish. Pakistan, settled for three games now, look likely to stick. Captain Salman Agha put it plainly: don’t muzzle the quicks — let them impose themselves, as long as they don’t cross the line. And then there are the small things that finals often swing on: a relay throw cut off cleanly, a sharp take at 130 kph, running the first hard to stretch singles into twos. Bangladesh crash out after batting collapse hands Pakistan Asia Cup final spot India’s fielding against Bangladesh was patchy; they can’t afford repeats. Pakistan’s calling has been jittery; one misjudged single in Dubai can flip momentum. Yes, match-ups matter — Abhishek vs Shaheen, Kuldeep vs Fakhar, Abrar vs Tilak. But finals tend to punish panic and reward clarity. The side that breathes through the Powerplay and keeps its nerve in the last five overs will be the one lifting the cup.

The death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on September 19 in Singapore has rekindled reflection on the enduring cultural bonds between the Indian state of Assam and Bangladesh. Garg, aged 52, died from drowning while swimming at Lazarus Island without a life jacket. While initial reports speculated about scuba diving, a post-mortem conducted in Singapore confirmed drowning as the official cause of death. He was transported to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the ICU at approximately 3 pm BST. A voice beyond borders Though widely recognized for his contributions to Assamese and Bollywood music, Garg also left a lasting imprint on Bangladeshi audiences through his Bengali songs. Tracks such as Aaina Mon Vanga, Mon Mane Na, Piya Re Piya Re, and Mayabini are celebrated on both sides of the border for their lyrical emotion and melodic sophistication. His music often blurred linguistic and cultural lines, resonating with listeners in both Assam and Bangladesh and emphasizing their shared heritage. Garg often spoke of his multicultural roots. In an interview with TV9 Bangla, he remarked: “I say I am half Bengali. From childhood, I grew up with Bengali and Assamese together.” His understanding of identity as layered rather than rigid reflects a broader cultural sentiment - similar to the views of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, who in the 1970s asserted a pan-regional sense of belonging: “Assam is mine, West Bengal is mine, Tripura is also mine…” (Weekly Haq Katha, February 25, 1972). These expressions champion a vision of cultural unity that transcends political boundaries. Historical and linguistic linkages The Barak Valley region of Assam, comprising Silchar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj, is predominantly Bengali-speaking and has historical ties to linguistic activism. In 1961, when Assamese was proposed as the sole official language, widespread protests in the Barak Valley led to the deaths of 11 demonstrators at Silchar Railway Station. This event is commemorated annually as Bhasha Shahid Divas (Language Martyrs’ Day), and it eventually led to Bengali being granted official status in the region. Moreover, the dialect spoken in Barak Valley closely aligns with Sylheti, a language widely used in Bangladesh’s Sylhet region. These linguistic overlaps reflect the deep-rooted cultural affinities between the two areas. Several reports state that Zubeen Garg spent a part of his childhood in Karimganj (officially Sribhumi) and maintained ties there. People in Silchar within Barak Valley recall his early days, school friends and teachers in Karimganj. He completed his Higher Secondary education at Karimganj College. Local news also mentions that his father (pen name Kapil Thakur) stayed in a government magistrate’s quarter in the Settlement area of Hatment Road, Karimganj, where Zubeen’s family lived during some of his early years. Bangladesh itself is linguistically diverse. For instance, the Chatgaiya dialect spoken in Chattogram differs significantly from standard Bengali in both vocabulary and pronunciation. Such internal linguistic variation underscores the multifaceted nature of cultural identity, even within a single nation. Grief and recognition in Bangladesh The reaction from Bangladesh to Zubeen Garg’s death has been heartfelt and multifaceted. Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commissioner, Z. Hasan Fahad, acknowledged Garg’s cross-border appeal, stating: “His music transcended borders and touched countless hearts, including in Bangladesh, where his soulful voice and Bangla compositions were warmly cherished.” Also, he emphasized that Garg’s artistic legacy would endure across generations. Fans in Bangladesh responded with deep sorrow, sharing his music on social media, reminiscing about his influence and expressing collective grief. Many Bangladeshi commentators recognized Garg’s passing as not just a loss for Assam or India, but for a broader community connected through language, art, and shared cultural identity. Md Mokbul Hasan, a Bangladeshi fan, wrote on the Memorial Tribute by Eskay Movies’ YouTube channel: “My heart is bleeding. We will miss you forever.” Sara Begum commented: “Huge respect for you from Bangladesh. You brought life to our childhood.” Another fan, AS Mahid, wrote: “Why did you have to leave so early? It should have been me instead of you.” Garg’s personal identification as part Bengali and part Assamese mirrors the lived experiences of many across South Asia whose identities straddle artificial borders. His Bengali songs evoke deep emotional responses in regions like Barak Valley and Sylhet, where language and identity have long been subjects of both pride and struggle. Undoubtedly, he has a special place in the hearts of Bengali talking people, all over the world. Garg’s ability to bridge dialects, cultures, and regions through his music serves as a reminder that diversity—within and across borders—can be a unifying force rather than a dividing one.  

Aiming to catch the energy and the passion of the game of cricket, the ICC has launched the official song for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, which will be played across venues in India and Sri Lanka later this month.  Indian star singer Shreya Ghoshal sang the song titled “Bring it Home”. Its lyrics express themes of perseverance, including the Hindi refrain “Patthar pighlana hai, Ek naya itihas banana hai” — “We have to melt stones and forge a new history.” “It celebrates the spirit, strength and unity of women’s cricket. I hope it inspires fans and creates lasting memories,” Shreya Ghoshal said about the project.  Bangladesh and Sri Lanka set for another clash in Asia Cup Super Four The track is now available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, YouTube Music, JioSaavn and Apple Music.  The 13th edition of the Women’s World Cup will run from September 30 to November 2 across five venues — Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam and Colombo. Tickets, starting at just ₹100 (about $1.14), are being promoted as the most affordable in ICC history. A total of eight teams will participate in this year’s Women’s World Cup. The teams are: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.    

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday accused India of forcibly pushing around 1,500 Bangladeshis across the border over the past month, while also attempting to push in Rohingyas. "The number of push-ins has decreased recently. While we are taking back our citizens, not accepting Rohingyas," he told reporters after visiting the RAB-11 office in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. Bangladesh has asked India to repatriate Bangladeshis through proper procedures, as Bangladesh does with Indian nationals. “But they are leaving people in forests and by rivers, which is unacceptable. We are protesting this, and it’s having some effect,” he added. Army opened fire in Gopalganj as situation demanded: Home Adviser Regarding the recent mugging incident in Mohammadpur, the adviser said four suspects have been identified, three of them arrested along with a phone recovered. A probe body has been formed, and action will be taken against all involved. RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman, acting CO of RAB-11 Additional DIG Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Deputy CO Major Anabil Imam, and Senior ASP Golam Morshed were present during the visit.

Taking India’s medical team’s presence in Bangladesh positively, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said the interim government always wanted a good working relationship with India on the basis of reciprocity and mutual respect. “We always wanted that….from day one we said we want good working relationship with India on the basis of reciprocity and mutual respect. Our position remains unchanged,” he said, noting that they – no one from the interim government - never said they do not want good relations with India. The Foreign Adviser made the remarks when a reporter wanted to know whether they see the presence of Indian medical team in Bangladesh as a positive indicator towards better relations between the two neighbors. A team of burn-specialist doctors and nurses with necessary medical support from India arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night to treat aircraft crash victims. Willing to strengthen cooperation for Bangladesh’s better dev: Ambassador Yao The specialised team consists of doctors and nurses from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, which are the two top hospitals in India specialising in burns and plastic surgery. They began their work at a designated hospital treating these patients from Thursday morning. Their visit follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance to extend all possible assistance and support to Bangladesh in the wake of the tragedy. They are making an assessment of the condition of patients with recommendation for further treatment and specialised care in India as necessary. Additional medical teams may also follow depending on their preliminary assessment and treatment. On July 21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the tragic air crash in Dhaka and had conveyed assurances of support and assistance. Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka formally wrote to the government of Bangladesh asking for sharing information on any critical medical support that may be needed to be arranged in India for those injured in the tragic incident. The Indian High Commission on Tuesday said it will extend all necessary facilitation. The communication came as a follow up to the message from the Indian prime minister, expressing condolence on the tragic Milestone School plane crash and offering all possible support and assistance. BIMSTEC for addressing security challenges that hinder dev aspirations “India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance," Indian Prime Minister Modi said in a message on Monday.

An explosion followed by a massive fire at a pharmaceutical plant in India’s southern state of Telangana has left at least eight people dead and several others injured, officials confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred at a factory of Sigachi Industries, located in an industrial zone around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Hyderabad, the state capital, according to G.V. Narayana Rao, Director of Telangana's Fire Services. Firefighters recovered the charred remains of six workers from the site, while two others died from severe burn injuries after being rushed to a hospital. Rao said the explosion took place in the factory's spray dryer unit, which processes raw materials into fine powder used in drug manufacturing. Emergency crews continued clearing debris from the gutted facility to ensure no one else remains trapped. India restricts land-route imports of certain Bangladeshi jute and other products  India is a major player in the global pharmaceutical sector, known for its large-scale production of generic medicines and vaccines. However, industrial accidents, especially those involving chemical processes, remain a frequent concern, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety measures and regulatory oversight in this crucial industry. Sigachi Industries Limited specializes in active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, and vitamin-mineral blends. The company operates five manufacturing sites across India and has subsidiaries in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, according to its website. 'Prepared to engage' with Dhaka on all matters, but frustrations persist: Indian MEA 

The much-anticipated Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh, may skip theatrical release in India following backlash against the makers for casting popular Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. However, the film is all set to hit cinema screens across Pakistan in line with its international release. According to an Instagram post by Pakistani cinema chain Cinegold Plex, Sardaar Ji 3 will release in the country on Friday, June 27. Sitaare Zameen Par Day 5 Box Office: Aamir Khan's film remains steady, surpasses Laal Singh Chaddha’s India collection “The wait is finally over… Sardaar Ji is back! Sardaar Ji 3 hits the big screen on June 27 with double the comedy, drama, and desi madness! Ready for a full-on Punjabi entertainer? Watch it first at Cinegold Plex. Book your tickets now!” the cinema chain announced on Instagram. The poster shared by Cinegold Plex prominently features Hania Aamir, whose involvement in the film has sparked controversy across the border. The theatre chain, which operates in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, also posted a short video clip from the film’s trailer on its Instagram Stories, showcasing Hania Aamir’s scenes from Sardaar Ji 3. Despite facing resistance in India, the film is expected to draw significant audiences in Pakistan. #With inputs from NDTV