United News of Bangladesh

The European Union (EU) on Monday said they look forward to the new Bangladesh-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which will be ‘initialed’ during the visit of Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to Brussels on April 20, enhancing cooperation across the board. The EU expressed support for priority reforms, economic modernisation and managed migration, stressing the importance of a level playing field to promote investment. “Shared values underpin the EU’s partnerships around the world,” said the EU Embassy in Dhaka after Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller with Ambassadors of EU Member States resident in Dhaka (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, along with the Chargés d’Affaires of Denmark and Sweden) paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office. US envoy meets PM Tarique Rahman During the meeting, the Heads of Mission of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the EU passed a ‘message of readiness’ to intensify relations with the new government. They congratulated the Prime Minister on his landslide victory in the recent general election and expressed strong support to the government. Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to further strengthening the longstanding and mutually beneficial Bangladesh-EU partnership, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of bilateral relations, noting that the partnership has evolved into a comprehensive and multifaceted engagement encompassing all sectors of mutual interest. The PCA aims to provide a “comprehensive and robust framework” for Bangladesh-EU relations with a view to enhancing cooperation in multifarious sectors while guiding the future interactions in the face of new global realities and emerging challenges. The PCA will give Bangladesh-EU relations a new legal foundation, which is more comprehensive and up-to-date and will respond better to current and evolving challenges, according to the EU. Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam will accompany the Foreign Minister during visit to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. 

Amid increased engagement from both sides to retune bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and his Indian counterpart Dr S. Jaishankar are set to meet in New Delhi next week, a move that could usher in a new phase of cooperation on a range of issues important to both Dhaka and Delhi and lend genuine momentum to the relationship, officials said. This will mark the first high-level visit to India since the BNP government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, assumed office, following a period of significant strain in bilateral relations. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to make any official announcement regarding the planned brief visit. “The meeting between the two foreign ministers will be held in New Delhi on April 8,” a senior official told UNB, without elaborating further on his arrival and departure information.  The Indian side usually does not announce incoming visits but officially announces outgoing visits.   Bangladesh and India share deep-rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and multitude of other commonalities, said an official, noting that in any bilateral meeting all issues of mutual interest come up for discussion.  The two Foreign Ministers are likely to discuss cooperation in the areas of energy, water sharing, border management, visa, people-to-people ties, he said adding that a future visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India may also come up for discussion at the meeting. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already invited Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to pay a visit to India at a convenient time. “I take this opportunity to invite you, along with Dr Zubaida Rahman and your daughter Zaima, on a visit to India at a mutually convenient time. A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi said in his letter handed over to PM Tarique by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla who represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh-US relationship matters more than ever: Paul Kapur Prime Minister Modi said he looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Tarique to strengthen their multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance their common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Asked whether the Prime Minister would consider India for his first bilateral visit, a diplomatic source told UNB that Bangladesh would take a decision “creatively” on the matter. Water Sharing Issues The subject of water is widely seen as a sensitive issue and Bangladesh always keeps talking about its long pending request for concluding the agreement on the sharing of the waters of the Teesta River, the draft of which was finalised in 2011. The two countries share 54 common rivers, including the Teesta. In India’s federal scheme of things, nothing is done without consultations with the State Government and any agreement that they conclude will have to be acceptable to the State Government of India; at the same time, it would also have to be acceptable to Bangladesh, officials said. The Bangladesh-India Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty was signed on December 12, 1996 and is expiring in December this year. Dhaka, Delhi discuss defence cooperation As discussions for its renewal are yet to commence between the two countries, officials said this might be one of the issues to be discussed this time. In July 2024, the governments of Bangladesh and India had decided to begin discussions on renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty. The discussions are yet to commence in this regard and no fresh agreement has been ratified between the two countries. The Indian side had offered to renew it in 2024 but the interim government did not pursue it at that time, a diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB.  Inputs on drinking water and industrial water requirements have also been received from all stakeholders including from the government of West Bengal, which have been taken into account while formulating the Indian government’s views. Visa Issues Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, in his recent meetings with the Ministers in Dhaka, explored new areas for future collaboration in people-centric domains aligned with the respective developmental priorities of the two countries based on mutual interest and mutual benefit. Bangladesh intensifies energy diplomacy with US, Russia amid diversification push The two sides also discussed various aspects of Bangladesh-India economic cooperation, including ways to strengthen transport, energy and digital connectivity between the two countries. At the foreign minister–level meeting, the Bangladesh side is expected to raise the visa issue as tourist visas for Bangladeshis have remained suspended since July 2024 on security grounds. Indian visa centres in Bangladesh are still understaffed, suggesting that a full resumption of services may take time, a diplomatic source said, adding that the restart will be announced once finalised. India thinks the two countries 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. Bangladesh and India on Thursday discussed ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, including joint training initiatives. The issues were discussed when Bangladesh High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah met Indian Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi at the South Block. They also explored opportunities for deeper collaboration aimed at promoting regional peace and security. The envoy said he was pleased to meet General Upendra Dwivedi and reflect on Bangladesh-India ties, including defence cooperation.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said Bangladesh has successfully overcome significant challenges over the past five decades and achieved remarkable socio-economic progress through constructive engagement in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Speaking at a reception in New York as the chief guest, he highlighted that, since becoming a member of the UN in 1974, Bangladesh has embraced multilateralism as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.  Reaffirming Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to international peace and security, the Foreign Minister underscored the country’s significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and its continued humanitarian support for the Rohingya people.  Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted the reception to celebrate the 56th Independence and National day of Bangladesh at a local hotel in New York.  The programme was attended by around 150 Permanent Representatives, high officials of the UN, distinguished members of the diplomatic community and other international organizations, according to Bangladesh Permanent Mission in New York.  Permanent Representative of Bangladesh Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said 26 March symbolises not only the birth of the nation but also the enduring triumph of the people’s will, dignity and freedom.  The Permanent Mission also organised a discussion session at its auditorium where the messages from the dignitaries were read out and a special documentary on the significance of the day was also screened.   

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has reaffirmed Bangladesh's firm commitment to consolidating and deepening the longstanding friendly ties between Bangladesh and Argentina with enhanced cooperation in priority areas. Ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh Marcelo Carlos Cesa met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and both sides identified priority areas to enhance cooperation. The particularly discussed ways to expand bilateral trade with a focus on diversification of exports and imports, strengthening technical collaboration in agriculture, advancing sports cooperation, including through effective implementation of the existing MoU on football, and exploring opportunities for cooperation in energy trade and supply chain partnerships and enhanced apparel exports from Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister proposed a multi-sectoral dialogue among relevant stakeholders with a focused agenda to advance bilateral cooperation. He also appreciated the reopening of the Argentine Embassy in Dhaka and Argentina's recent concurrence to the reopening of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Buenos Aires. He underscored Bangladesh's commitment to operationalising its resident mission in Buenos Aires at the earliest opportunity to further institutionalise bilateral engagement, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amid the ongoing war between two SAARC countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh has decided not to make any public comments but stressed that such war does not bring anything good. "It is an unfortunate matter. We are not saying anything in public but we are trying to make our friends understand that such war is not good for anyone," Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia early Saturday. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was also present. The Associated Press (AP) says Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions that led Pakistan’s defense minister to say on Friday that the two countries are in a state of “open war.” Pakistan, Afghanistan trade strikes as Defense Minister declares “Open War” Afghanistan launched an attack on Pakistan late Thursday, saying it was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, saying it targeted military installations. On the sidelines of the extraordinary ministerial session of the executive committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Foreign Minister Dr Rahman held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Foreign Minister of the Gambia, Sering Modou Njie; Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian; Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya; and also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Waleed A Elkhereiji, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties and agreed to work closely together to promote 'peace, stability, and shared prosperity' in the region, according to Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Dr Rahman, during his recent courtesy meeting with Secretary General of SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar on February 24, reiterated Bangladesh's conviction in abiding commitment to the principles enshrined in the SAARC Charter including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutual benefit of the peoples of member states.  

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Saturday said Bangladesh enjoys strong backing from member states of the OIC but faces a challenge due to the limited time available to campaign for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). “The candidate has been changed following the change in government. One of our key challenges is that Cyprus has been campaigning throughout the year, whereas we have barely three months, or even less in hand,” he told reporters at Dhaka airport explaining the ground behind the change in Bangladesh’s candidature. Dr Khalilur, who returned from Saudi Arabia early Saturday, said discussions were held with Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) partners to assess the situation and strategise ways to secure Bangladesh’s victory.  “We have received their full and unequivocal support,” he said. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh’s friends within the OIC have assured active campaigning in favour of Dhaka’s candidature. He said as anticipated, Palestine withdrew its candidature a few days ago. With Palestine stepping aside, Bangladesh will now contest the 2026–2027 term against Cyprus. Humayun Kabir, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, described the feedback from OIC countries as highly encouraging and strong. “We have received very positive responses. We will conduct a detailed assessment at an appropriate stage, but the support so far has been strong. The visit was both fruitful and productive,” he said. Earlier, the interim government had nominated former Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain as Bangladesh’s candidate. Following the change in government, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated Dr Khalilur  Rahman for the position. Bangladesh had initially floated its candidature ahead of Palestine. The election for the President of the 81st session of the UNGA is scheduled to take place on June 2 at the UN Headquarters in New York, in accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. Under the established regional rotation system, the President for the 81st session will be elected from the Asia-Pacific Group. The President of the 80th session of the UNGA, Annalena Baerbock, will convene informal interactive dialogues with the candidates in May 2026. Bangladesh last held the prestigious position in 1986–87, when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly. Four decades later, the country is seeking to reclaim the post. The 81st session of the UNGA will open on September 8, 2026, with the high-level General Debate commencing on September 22. Leaders attending the recent executive meeting of the OIC expressed confidence that Bangladesh will swiftly achieve political stability and accelerated development under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. They also reiterated their full support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the UNGA.  

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has unequivocally condemned the recent Israeli legislation on land purchase that seeks to unlawfully annex the occupied Palestinian territory. In his address to the open-ended OIC executive committee meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, he said this action is designed to alter the legal and demographic character of the Palestinian lands, including the Al Quds Al Sharif. The Foreign Minister expressed his grave concern over the fact that the Israeli decision to ease land purchase and open land registries in the West Bank to public scrutiny exposes the Palestinian landowners to multiple forms of intimidation and harassment. Dr Khalilur Rahman pointed out that these actions are clearly in breach of relevant international law and undermine the very foundations of a just and lasting social order. The Foreign Minister categorically stated that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State following the two-State formula under 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, can offer a sustainable solution to this long protracted crisis. He outright rejected the land related legislation of Israel and demanded to ensure the due land rights of the Palestinians. The foreign minister also demanded permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an unconditional and unhindered access of the international aid workers and humanitarian support providers to the affected men, women and children in the Strip. Dr Khalilur Rahman conveyed the Ramadan greetings from Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Muslim Ummah and stated that the newly elected democratic Government in Bangladesh looks forward to closely working with the OIC Member States. On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, the Foreign Minister held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Foreign Minister of the Gambia, Mr. Sering Modou Njie; Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr. Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian; Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya; and also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Waleed A. Elkhereiji, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. At the bilateral talks, the dignitaries from the OIC Member States congratulated the people and government of Bangladesh on the successful holding the general elections, felicitated the Prime Minister for the massive victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and expressed their keenness to work with the new Government. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said with the leaders the visions and work programmes of the government particularly with regard to foreign policy, foreign trade and investment, resolution of the Rohingya issue and improving effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat. They also expressed strong support to Bangladesh candidature for the Presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly. Korean FM greets Khalilur Rahman; eyes enhanced ties with Dhaka He invited the dignitaries to visit Bangladesh at their convenience. Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister, Humayun Kabir; Secretary (Inter-Governmental Organisations) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, M Forhadul Islam, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to OIC, MJH Jabed accompanied the Foreign Minister during the bilateral meetings.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday said they see huge confidence in the new government from countries which are willing to engage deeply and work with Bangladesh very closely. “We want to establish mutually beneficial relations with every country as coequals…we will resolve all our issues respectfully and on the basis of mutual respect,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a series of courtesy meetings held on Sunday and Monday with diplomats stationed in Dhaka. The Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of protecting independence and sovereignty, not interfering in each other's internal affairs. “Our policies will be based on mutual interests and national dignity.” “I am pretty confident that we will be able to conduct a very dynamic foreign policy in the coming days,” he said, mentioning that so far they have had courtesy and friendly meetings with envoys. Asked about safety along the Bangladesh-India border and measures to stop border killings, the Foreign Minister said he is not taking any specific question and they will discuss specific issues later, which will require some time. Dr Rahman said the Envoys of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, China, Pakistan, the United States and European countries led by the EU Ambassador met him on Sunday and Monday where he outlined the new government's foreign policy. "We have started meetings with envoys since Sunday. We have presented the outline of our government's foreign policy to them. Our motto is Bangladesh First. Bangladesh will be above all,” he said. Next Bangladesh govt will need to navigate tricky foreign policy issues: Crisis Group The Foreign Minister expressed optimism that they will be able to establish deep relations with other friendly countries in the region and the world. The Foreign Minister on Wednesday said they want to get back to the foreign policy of martyred President Ziaur Rahman which was very positive and expansive, stressing that the government wants to maintain a good relationship with each country while at the same time protecting the country’s interests. “Foreign policy is a very serious matter,” he told reporters at the state guest house Padma in the evening, seeking objectivity from the media while reporting on foreign affairs. The Foreign Minister said an imprudent or misleading statement can affect international relations and urged journalists to maintain objectivity and avoid rumors.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur will be visiting Bangladesh in early March as the United States looks forward to working with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and the security of the region. The upcoming visit of Paul Kapur, among other issues, was featured in the discussion when US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the latter’s office on Monday. Paul Kapur was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on October 22, 2025. Both sides expressed optimism that Bangladesh-United States relations will reach a new height in the coming years through enhanced collaboration across all sectors. "So pleased to continue working together to make both of our countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous," said Ambassador Christensen after the meeting.  The Ambassador congratulated Dr Rahman on his new role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Prior to the call on the Foreign Minister, the US Ambassador also paid a maiden courtesy call on the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at her office and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interests. During the meeting, both the Foreign Minister and US Ambassador underscored the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States, built on mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a commitment to peace and development. During the discussion, both sides reviewed key areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, defense and security, development partnership, immigration and people-to-people exchanges, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Rohingya issue was also discussed during the meeting. The Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for continued US humanitarian assistance and sought sustained political support for the safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingya population to Myanmar. Earlier, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a message said the United States looks forward to working with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and the security of the region.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah on Sunday said that his country has issued 750,000 work visas and altogether 1.4 mn visas for Bangladeshi citizens in 2025. "There is scope for skilled and semi-skilled workers to jobs in the Kingdom as many development works are going on there," he said when he met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. During the meeting, they discussed the issues of mutual interest. The Ambassador conveyed greetings from his government and expressed his commitment to further strengthening Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh bilateral relations. Welcoming the Ambassador, the Foreign Minister described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh. He recalled that diplomatic relations between the two countries began during the presidency of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with the establishment of the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1976. President Zia also paid a historic visit to the Kingdom in 1977. Both sides acknowledged his historic contribution to promoting Muslim unity.