United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday encouraged greater French investment in Bangladesh and highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in promising sectors, including infrastructure, renewable energy, space, technology and pharmaceuticals. He also underscored the importance of creating greater opportunities for legal and regular labour mobility between Bangladesh and France. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet paid a courtesy call on the State Minister at the Ministry. The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy towards irregular migration and human trafficking and expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to work closely with France in addressing these challenges. The Ambassador congratulated the State Minister on his assumption of office and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and partnership between Bangladesh and France. The State Minister appreciated France’s continued engagement with Bangladesh, including its support for Bangladesh’s socio-economic development, democratic transition and institutional strengthening. He emphasised Bangladesh’s interest in further engagment in areas of mutual interest, particularly trade and investment, defence, aviation, education, culture, and human capital development. They also exchanged views on the priorities and expectations from the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Both sides also discussed on regional and global issues, including climate change and multilateral engagement reiterating their commitment to working together in international fora. Ambassador Séré-Charlet reaffirmed France’s readiness to enhance cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. He appreciated the Government’s efforts towards democratic reforms and expressed France’s interest in working closely with Bangladesh. Humaiun Kobir appreciated the France’s continued humanitarian support for the 1.3 million Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. Both sides also expressed their readiness to work together for their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation. Both sides expressed confidence that continued engagement and enhanced cooperation would provide further momentum to Bangladesh-France relations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Sunday said Bangladesh wants to “reset” its bilateral relationship with India after what he described as an uncomfortable relationship over 15 years under an “authoritarian, corrupt and exploitative” regime. “We want to move towards a new relationship, which should be done through bilateral discussions, not through a multilateral forum,” Kobir said while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Responding to a question, he said, “Breakfast in India, lunch in India, dinner in India - then when will you eat your own food?” “We have to get out of the India fascination. India is just another country, and Bangladesh wants good bilateral relations with it,” Kobir said. He said his earlier remarks specifically referred to India and the need to rebuild bilateral relations through direct bilateral engagement. “What I said was mainly applicable to India. We want to build a good working bilateral relationship with India,” he said. Kobir said Bangladesh’s first engagement with a country with which it wants to develop better relations should ideally be through a bilateral visit rather than a meeting on the sidelines of a multilateral forum. “That was said only in the case of India. I never said that whenever we attend a multilateral event, we will not meet anyone,” he said. He clarified, however, that this does not mean Bangladesh will avoid meeting countries on the sidelines of international forums. Asked about recent incidents along the Bangladesh-India border, Kobir said the government would address such issues through diplomatic channels. “We will resolve these issues through diplomatic discussions,” he said. He said Bangladesh would raise its concerns with India at every appropriate level while adhering to international law, border protocols and agreements between the two countries. Asked about the reported review of 101 MoUs, Kobir said the agreements were being scrutinised and reviewed through the parliamentary process. The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will once again bring together world leaders to revitalise global cooperation, give a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals and drive collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. The State Minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave for New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and will stay there until September 26. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, where he will present Bangladesh’s new vision and highlight the country’s democratic transition and aspirations for the future. “He will share his thoughts and vision for the future of Bangladesh with world leaders,” Kobir told reporters. “He will have a very busy schedule in New York,” Kobir said, adding that the Prime Minister would hold meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Asked whether the UN Refugee Convention would be discussed during the visit, Kobir said Bangladesh would organise a sideline event focusing on the Rohingya crisis. “There will be a high-level discussion or meeting on the Rohingya crisis as part of the visit. It is a major priority for us,” he said. Asked about the possibility of a sideline meeting between the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump, the state minister said such meetings are often decided at the last moment during major international conferences. “The primary focus of the Prime Minister’s visit is to address the UN General Assembly,” he said, adding that details of the sideline meetings would be known in due course.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday said there is no scope for Bangladesh to send a government representative to the BRICS Summit, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation was instead extended to the BIMSTEC Chair. “How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?” he told reporters, ruling out the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attending the BRICS Summit. Responding to a question at the Foreign Service Academy, Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India cannot be a multilateral visit. He said the government is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive, stressing that Bangladesh is placing greater emphasis on a bilateral visit by the Prime Minister and discussions. Kobir said such a bilateral visit will take place when the environment is conducive and mutual respect is maintained. “There is no need to rush things.” Responding to a question about the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, the State Minister said, “Wherever our national interest is involved, we will act with importance and competence. We will prioritise the interests and well-being of our country.” In April 2025, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development. BIMSTEC consists of seven member countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. On August 4, India confirmed that an invitation had been extended to Prime Minister Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year. “You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi recently. As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. “The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner,” the MEA spokesperson said. BRICS member states and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will attend the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi, India, on September 12-13. The United Nations in India confirmed his participation in a post on its verified Facebook page on Wednesday. As BRICS Chair 2026, India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Summit will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees. India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of “Humanity First.” In addition to these areas, the leaders will exchange views on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and share perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual importance. Under India’s Chairship this year, over 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held in over 25 cities across India to further strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership across three fundamental pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, said the host country. Through these engagements, as well as business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives, India’s BRICS Chairship has contributed to advancing BRICS cooperation through practical and development-oriented outcomes. India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held its Chairship three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2021. India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026. The year 2026 also marks a significant milestone as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday called on the international community to move beyond expressions of solidarity and ensure shared responsibility and sustained political engagement to resolve the Rohingya crisis. “Nine years of displacement should not make displacement acceptable. It should make finding a solution more urgent than ever on this crisis,” Kobir said while speaking as the chief guest at a conference held at the Foreign Service Academy. Bangladesh has hosted Rohingya refugees for decades and, particularly since the massive influx in 2017, has provided refuge and protection to more than one million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. “We have done so despite the considerable pressure this has placed on our economy, environment, public services, local communities and national security,” Kobir said. He said Bangladesh has demonstrated “humanitarian responsibility and humanitarian leadership,” but such responsibility must not be mistaken for unlimited responsibility. “Let me be clear: this is not a crisis that Bangladesh created, and it cannot be a crisis that Bangladesh resolves alone,” the state minister said. Humanitarian financing, he said, must remain predictable and consistent, while host communities must receive meaningful support. Regional cooperation must be structured, and every engagement with Myanmar must remain focused on addressing the conditions that produced this displacement in the very first place,Kobir said. He also underscored the distinction between humanitarian assistance and a political solution. “Humanitarian assistance manages the consequences of displacement. Only a political solution can end displacement,” he said.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Saturday said Bangladesh wants engagement and a good working relationship with India despite existing challenges, stressing that the door for dialogue will always remain open. "There might be thousands of problems and challenges with India, but the door of dialogue and discussion will always remain open. And that should be kept," he told reporters, noting that India is a neighbour of Bangladesh. The State Minister made the remarks during an exchange of views with leaders of the Electronic Media Journalists Association (EMJA) in Sylhet. Kobir said foreign, economic and security cooperation and policies are intertwined and interrelated for most countries around the world, not just for Bangladesh. "It cannot be isolated from each other. Particularly, for the foreign policy that we have undertaken, it has to be integrated and it must be complementary to each other. From that point of view, foreign policy is not about only foreign relations. There needs to be a strong area of engagement for economic cooperation," he said. Talking about the challenges with India, the State Minister said there are, of course, challenges, as "terrorists" who fled the country after killing people in Bangladesh are staying in India. "If space is given to them (by India), it will go against the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. It would be pressure to address that. Our foreign policy engagement is based on national interests and driven by people's interests," Kobir said. The State Minister, who has met Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi twice so far, said India must understand the situation. "I met him (envoy)  twice. He is trying, but he gets stuck somewhere." Kobir laid emphasis on stopping former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stressing that it is irrelevant whether she is using private or public platforms in India. "Providing Hasina space creates a bad precedent," he said. Regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India, Kobir said the possibility of such a visit before the upcoming UN General Assembly session is very slim. "When the time is right, the Prime Minister will be visiting India, but the possibility is very slim before the UNGA as the Prime Minister will be attending the UNGA," he said. The 81st session of the General Assembly will formally open on September 8, with world leaders expected to gather at UN Headquarters in New York later in the month for the annual high-level general debate. India will soon host the BRICS Summit, and an Indian journalist wanted to know whether Bangladesh had communicated whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would participate and, if not, who would represent Bangladesh at the summit. "On the participation from Bangladesh side, I have no update to share with you," Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters during a regular briefing in New Delhi on Friday. Although the date of the Prime Minister’s proposed India visit has not yet been finalised, bilateral discussions on the matter are underway, State Minister Kobir said. The meeting was arranged after journalists covering the State Minister’s programme on Friday were allegedly harassed. Television journalists in Sylhet on Friday decided to boycott news coverage of the State Minister and the local BNP after several media workers were allegedly harassed by political activists at the Hazrat Shahjalal Shrine. Kobir, visiting Sylhet for the first time since taking office as State Minister, offered prayers at the shrine after Jummah prayers. Responding to various questions, Kobir said the extent of corruption in the energy sector in the past could be understood by looking at the sector’s overall condition. He said the current government is giving the energy sector the highest priority. The State Minister also said discussions are underway on the Mecca Pact and that Bangladesh’s joining the agreement would not be unusual. “Many countries in the world are part of multiple security alliances. Bangladesh will join wherever necessary based on its national interests,” he said. On the purchase of Boeing aircraft, Kobir said no one was pressuring Bangladesh to buy Boeing planes. “Bangladesh is buying Boeing aircraft from the United States because there is a demand for them. More aircraft may be purchased if necessary,” he said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said Bangladesh’s foreign policy has entered a new phase, with the government now focusing on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations and raising the country’s global visibility and influence. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his first working day as the State Minister, Kobir said the new responsibility is a continuation of the work he was doing as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs. “It is not the first day of work as such. Work is about continuity,” he said, adding that the new assignment requires the government to “hit the ball… ground running.” He said a strategic framework for Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been established over the past six months and that the government would now begin rolling out engagements based on that foundation. “Over the last six months, we have established a strategic framework for our foreign policy. It has a strong, solid foundation now,” Kobir said. “From that, now we will roll out our engagements. And we will… build our relations, bilateral relations, multilateral relations from a position of strength.” He said the government would now focus on putting substantive content into Bangladesh’s bilateral relationships and hoped to take the country’s “visibility, influence… to great new heights.” Kobir said he is already familiar with senior officials at the Foreign Ministry, having worked with them over the past six months. “The assignment is new, but it is an assignment that is an extension of further work in the sphere that I have already been working in,” he said. Expressing confidence in the Ministry and its officials, he said,”Together… we can take Bangladesh, Insha’Allah, into a new horizon.” He said Bangladesh should be recognised as a country with strong soft, medium and other forms of power and influence. ‘I am Bangladeshi’ Asked about reports and social media discussions concerning his British citizenship and whether he had renounced it before assuming the state ministerial position, Kobir responded sharply. “I am Bangladeshi,” he said. “Here, Bangladesh… Bangladeshi… I don’t think there is anybody that will question my Bangladeshism and my stand.” Responding to questions about social media reports, he added, “I come with citizenship, and you talk about netizens! I mean, which netizens?” Kobir also referred to the political period involving Moeen U Ahmed and Fakhruddin Ahmed, asking whether “the heartburn of Moeen U Ahmed, and Fakhruddin” was “acting up again.” He urged media, citizens and political leaders to unite in the national interest. “All people who take a strong stance for the country, patriotic people who are here, those who stand by the country—all of us including the media, the citizens, the political leaders, we will all unite and take this country forward, Insha’Allah,” he said. He then urged reporters to focus on substantive issues related to his ministry. Asked about the Mecca Defense Pact, Kobir said Bangladesh expressed interest in it but indicated that there has been no new development. “No, no, we have expressed interest,” he said. He said Bangladesh’s growing international recognition is creating greater interest among key stakeholders in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world. “Bangladesh is now a country of recognition, and there is interest,” Kobir said. He added that key stakeholders are inviting Bangladesh’s leadership, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to participate in discussions and enengagements. Kobir also emphasised the special significance of Mecca for Bangladeshis, saying, “Mecca always holds a special place… Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh, in the hearts of…”

Bangladesh and the United States (US) on Wednesday emphasised the importance of further strengthening bilateral economic relations by deepening communication and partnerships between the business communities of the two countries. A high-level US business delegation led by US-Bangladesh Business Council President Atul Keshap paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir at the Prime Minister’s Office and discussed the issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, they held detailed discussions on further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and the United States, as well as expanding mutual economic cooperation and investment opportunities in Bangladesh. Adviser Kobir welcomed the delegation and said Bangladesh-US relations are long-standing and multidimensional. He said economic cooperation, including trade and investment, can play an important role in further strengthening the bilateral relationship. Highlighting existing opportunities and potential sectors for US investors in Bangladesh, Kobir said the government is committed to ensuring a business- and investment-friendly environment. He said Bangladesh is currently going through a crucial phase of economic transformation, creating new opportunities. The Adviser said, closer partnership with US businesses and investors can make a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s economic growth, job creation, and technology and knowledge exchange. Atul Keshap expressed interest in Bangladesh’s economic potential and investment opportunities, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasised the need to further expand cooperation between the private sectors of Bangladesh and the United States and expressed the council’s interest in taking the business relationship between the two countries to new heights. They exchanged views on increasing trade and investment, cooperation in the industrial and infrastructure sectors, and opportunities for US investment in energy, technology, the digital economy, healthcare and other promising sectors. The business delegation from the United States is currently visiting Bangladesh to explore opportunities in a number of sectors including energy and technology.  

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.