United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and India on Sunday recognised the challenges the two neighbours are facing in terms of bilateral relations and discussed the necessity to work together to address those. On the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain met his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar in Muscat, Oman. Both sides also said that a meeting at the level of Directors General of Border Guarding Forces of the two countries is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 18-20. They hoped that various border-related issues would be discussed and resolved during the meeting, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Conversations focused on our bilateral relationship, as also on Bimstec," Jaishankar said after the meeting. Dhaka committed to boosting Indian Ocean partnership: Foreign Adviser Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to attend the Bimstec Summit to be held in Bangkok on April 4. Foreign Adviser Hossain emphasized the importance of initiating the discussion for renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty. He also highlighted the importance of holding the meeting of the Saarc Standing Committee and requested consideration of the government of India in this regard. The two sides discussed various bilateral issues of mutual concerns and interests. Recalling their last meeting on the sidelines of UNGA in September 2024, both noted that since then the two countries have participated in various bilateral engagements. The Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and India at the level of Foreign Secretaries was held in Dhaka on December 9, 2024. The Energy Adviser of Bangladesh participated at the India Energy Week events in New Delhi on February 10-11, among others. Foreign Adviser Hossain is attending the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) being organised in Muscat, Oman on February 16-17 by the government of the Sultanate of Oman in association with the Indian government and India Foundation. The theme of the 8th IOC is "Voyage of New Horizons of Maritime Partnership”. The Adviser spoke at one of the plenary sessions on the topic of ‘Strengthening Maritime Supply Chains’. BGB-BSF border talks begin in New Delhi tomorrow He explained the multifaceted challenges that endanger the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of maritime supply chains and holistic approach and collaboration required for strengthening maritime supply chains by overcoming disruptions and enhancing resilience. Among others, he also called for easing visas and other administrative processes for the seafarers, ensuring facilities for them, as their roles are crucial in maintaining the maritime supply chain. Ministerial delegations from more than thirty countries and several regional organisations, including Saarc, Bimstec and IORA attended the meeting. On the sidelines of the 8th IOC, the Foreign Adviser also had meetings with the second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of VietNam and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania and discussed various issues of mutual interests. The Foreign Affairs Adviser is also scheduled to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman on Monday.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference to be held in Muscat, Oman, on February 16-17 with the theme "Voyages to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership." Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will also attend the conference, raising hope for a bilateral meeting between Hossain and Jaishankar on the sidelines. If it happens, this will be their second meeting since the formation of the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus in August last year. Hossain and Jaishankar had their first meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September last year. The 8th Indian Ocean Conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman. The Indian Ocean Conference was started by India Foundation in 2016 in Singapore, with participation from 30 countries. In the last 8 years, the conference has emerged as the flagship consultative forum for countries in the region over regional affairs. Engage with “new Bangladesh”: Dr Yunus to global community The conference endeavours to bring critical states and principal maritime partners of the region together on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Foreign Adviser Hossain left Dhaka for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday evening, said a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is scheduled to go to Muscat, Oman from Dubai on February 14, the official said. The adviser is scheduled to return home on February 18 after attending the Indian Ocean Conference. In Muscat, President of the India Foundation Ram Madhav on Wednesday said the conference brings together the countries of the Indian Ocean region. "It has become a calendar event, not only in the region but the entire world.” Oman Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi (host) along with foreign ministers of Australia Penny Wong, Bahrain Abdullatif Bin Rashid, Bhutan DN Dhungyel, Iran Abbas Araghchi, Maldives FM Abdulla Khaleel, Mauritius D Ramful, Nepal Arzu Rana Deuba, Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath, Seychelles Errol Fonseka, Eritrea FM Osman Saleh, will be present in Muscat. Dr Yunus set to leave for Dubai to attend World Governments Summit Around 27 foreign ministers will be attending the gathering, with delegations from 45 countries in attendance. The conference aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040, which focuses on economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and promoting renewable energy.