United News of Bangladesh

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday reaffirmed that he holds only one nationality and that is Bangladeshi citizenship. Speaking at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Dr Rahman clarified that his overseas stay does not imply foreign citizenship. “Before arriving here, I lived in the USA with my family. But I do not have any American passport,” he said, adding that he does not have the citizenship of any other country except Bangladesh. Dr Rahman said if he is labeled as a foreign citizen just because he lived in America then tomorrow something can be said regarding BNP's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. "If you throw a stone at me, it might end up hitting someone else,” he said, urging them (who raised questions about his citizenship) to make comments judiciously. At one stage he got emotional and said, “Please don’t label me with something that I really do not deserve. If you can, prove it in court.” Dr Rahman said he holds some rights as a citizen of this country and it would be very unfortunate if they do not respect the rights that he holds. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were present at the briefing. No talks on ‘corridor’: Dr Khalilur Rahman On Sunday, Khalilur Rahman said he remains prepared to exercise his rights as a Bangladeshi citizen to the fullest extent. "I remain prepared to exercise my rights as a Bangladeshi citizen to the fullest extent," the National Security Adviser told UNB when his attention was drawn to a recent allegation by BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed that Dr Rahman is a foreign citizen. Dr Rahman also said the burden of proof of the allegation rests on the individual who made it and, if necessary, it would have to be proven before a court of law. BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday claimed that the National Security Adviser is a foreign citizen. “Has the government lost all sense?” he questioned.  “How can the Bangladesh Army submit security-related reports to a foreign citizen? He wants to turn Bangladesh into a battlefield under the pretext of a humanitarian corridor for the Rohingyas. This national security adviser must be removed.”

Chief Adviser's High Representative for the Rohingya Issue and Priority Affairs Dr Khalilur Rahman has been redesignated as the National Security Adviser. He will retain his functions as the High Representative for the Rohingya issue. Additionally, he will assist the Chief Adviser in the discharge of his responsibilities relating to the Ministry of Defence, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday night. "I am very grateful to Honorable Chief Adviser for his continued trust and confidence. I am fully aware of the gravity of my responsibilities and will do my utmost to uphold and advance our national interest," Khalil was quoted as saying. Khalil joined BCS (Foreign Affairs) in 1979 after securing the first position in the first regular civil service examination after independence held in 1977. EU underlines need for transparent investment environment He served in various capacities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York. In 1991, he joined the United Nations secretariat as a Special Adviser and served in different senior UN positions during the next 25 years. In November 2024, he was appointed as the High Representative with the status and privileges of an Adviser. Khalil stood first class first in MA examinations in Economics at Dhaka University in 1977. During 1980-83, he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and earned the degrees of MA in Law and Diplomacy and PhD in Economics.

The National Security Adviser of the United States, Jake Sullivan, has praised Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for the progress that the country has already made in turning around the economy and for initiating vital political, election, and other reforms. Prof Yunus told Sullivan he is expecting reports of six major reform commissions within January. After that, the consensus-building process will begin to prepare the nation for reforms and elections, he said. Sullivan, Prof Yunus pledge to protect human rights of all people: White House They spoke on the phone on Monday evening to discuss issues of mutual interest, said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Tuesday morning. Sullivan reconfirmed US support for the Prof Yunus-led interim government and for a "prosperous, stable, and democratic" Bangladesh. He praised the leadership of Prof Yunus in the past four and a half months after he assumed the role of the chief adviser of the interim government on August 8. He also thanked Prof Yunus for announcing the possible election dates, and he offered continued US support for the democratic process of the country. During the phone call they also discussed the overall development situation in the country. Prof Yunus thanked the US for its generous support to Bangladesh in overcoming the inherited problems. WB pledges support for Bangladesh's key reform initiatives The chief adviser thanked the US for its vital support in this challenging period for Bangladesh. He recalled his meeting with President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his tour to New York in September.