foreign minister
13,931 Bangladeshis legally hold dual citizenships, passports
A list of 13,931 Bangladeshis, legally holding dual passports and citizenships, was submitted to the office of the Attorney General on Wednesday.
The Special Branch Police Superintendent (Immigration) submitted the list in the afternoon.
On December 21 last year, a High Court bench sought the list of Bangladeshis holding dual citizenships, who have built or bought houses abroad and those who frequently use the three international airports.
Also read: High Court asks for list of Bangladeshi ‘money launderers’ with dual citizenship
On November 22, the HC sought all kind of details of the money launderers after a newspaper report was presented before the court.
The report quoted Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen as saying that the government service holders have laundered a huge amount of money.
Also read: Bangladesh enters e-Passport era
Many government service holders even have houses in foreign countries and their children live abroad, the minister said.
“I have seen 28 cases and among them only four are politicians,” FM said.
Leaders Summit on Climate: Kerry due Apr 9 to invite PM Hasina
John Kerry, the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on April 9 on a daylong visit during which Bangladesh will convey its priority issues to him on the climate front.
“Yes, we’re happy that he’s coming. We worked with him before, too,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB on Wednesday.
Kerry will hand over the invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in person to attend the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be held on April 22 and 23, Dr Momen said.
US President Joe Biden has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime Minister Hasina, to the summit that he will host. The virtual summit will be live-streamed for public viewing.
The “Leaders Summit on Climate” will underscore the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.
“We’ll be happy to convey our priority issues. We’ll also share the steps that Bangladesh has taken so far,” Dr Momen said.
Also read: Strict implementation of Paris deal only way forward for sustainable future: Dhaka
He said Bangladesh believes that adaptation is not enough and there has to be mitigation and Bangladesh needs support as promised by others. “It should be Kerry’s special target.”
Dr Momen said Bangladesh did not create the problem and those responsible countries should share responsibility of rehabilitating and protecting people from the river erosions.
During his recent meeting with Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry, the foreign minister discussed the global issue of climate change, and the possible US-Bangladesh collaboration in this connection.
The Foreign Minister recollected the vital contribution of Kerry towards the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and welcomed the decision of the US to return to the Paris Agreement.
He described various actions taken by the Government of Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Hasina on mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
Dr Momen also briefed John Kerry on all current and future activities of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) regional office in Dhaka.
Also read: John Kerry chosen as Biden’s climate tsar
Kerry recognised the extraordinary challenges faced by Bangladesh due to climate change and frequent natural disasters.
Agreeing that the international financial institutions could do more for the issue of climate change, he also opined that displacement due to climate change would be a vital security issue for everybody.
They agreed to work closely in the COP26 and other multilateral platforms in order to fulfil commitments under the Paris climate agreement and even go beyond Paris.
President Biden took action on his first day in office to return the US to the Paris Agreement.
Days later, on January 27, he announced that he would soon convene a leaders’ summit to galvanise efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.
Bangladesh never supports country-specific, motivated issues: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has justified Bangladesh’s vote against a UN resolution on genocide charges against Sri Lanka saying Bangladesh has a foreign policy of supporting the neighbours and not supporting any country-specific or “politically motivated” resolution.
“We never supported those motivated and country-specific issues,” he told reporters while responding to a question during a virtual press briefing on the D-8 Summit being hosted by Bangladesh virtually.
Also Read: World starts looking at Bangladesh in a new light: FM
On March 23, the UN Human Rights Council was given a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka's civil war.
In the resolution brought by Britain on behalf of a group of countries, 22 countries voted in favour of the text, 11 opposed and 14 abstained, including Sri Lanka’s neighbours, India and Nepal and most Muslim majority countries.
Sri Lankan government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) both committed numerous war crimes and human rights abuses during the civil war that ended in 2009, according to Human Rights Watch.
Also Read: Extreme poverty to fall to 3% by 2030: FM
Responding to another question over the Bangladesh defense attaché joining the Myanmar Armed Forces Day military parade in Naypyitaw on March 27, Dr Momen said it was a routine programme.
India, China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Russian representatives also attended the occasion.
Also Read: D-8 Summit on April 8; focus on trade, investment, Rohingya crisis
He also said many of the Western countries’ business with Myanmar have increased over the years, despite the fact that Myanmar is accused of genocide.
“We didn’t see a boycott (severing business ties with Myanmar). It’s a matter of shame (for those countries),” Dr Momen said, seeking a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation deal on November 23, 2017. On January 16, 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’, which was supposed to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland.
Bangladesh says the Rohingyas do not trust their government, and Bangladesh gave a number of proposals to build trust among them.
Bangladesh is trying in multiple ways -- bilaterally, multilaterally, tri-laterally and through the judicial system -- to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Bangladesh proposed deployment of non-military civilian observers from Myanmar’s friendly countries -- Japan, China, Russia, India and Asean countries.
Pak scholar wants their govt to apologise to Bangladesh
Internationally renowned scholar from Pakistan Husain Haqqani has said the people of Pakistan should urge their government to offer a formal apology to the people of Bangladesh for all the atrocities that were committed in 1971.
“To this day, no apology has been forthcoming.... an apology is the most courteous thing ...," he said who served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2011.
Referring to the general elections of 1970 in the then Pakistan and the Pakistan military, Haqqani, now living in the United States, said the military’s reaction in the form of imprisoning Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and initiating genocide against the Bengalis.
He made the remarks in a virtual talk on ‘‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: An Iconic Leader of People’s Struggle for Freedom’’ organised by the Embassy of Bangladesh to Belgium and Luxembourg, and Mission to the European Union in Brussels on Monday.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen joined the event as chief guest while Bangladesh Ambassador in Brussels, Mahbub Hassan Saleh, moderated the event.
Ambassador Husain Haqqani, currently a Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at Hudson Institute, a top think tank in Washington, D.C., United States, said Bangabandhu is not only the greatest Bengali of all time, he is one of the greatest leaders emerging out of South Asia.
He also said Bangabandhu is a great leader in the history of the world, and an iconic figure of struggle for freedom that the world has seen throughout the 20th century.
Extreme poverty to fall to 3% by 2030: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said extreme poverty rate will come down to 3 percent by 2030 and that the country will be free of poverty after 2041.
"Once 80 percent people were poor in Bangladesh but now the poverty rate stands at 20 percent thanks to good initiatives. The Sheikh Hasina government laid emphasis on eliminating poverty from the country in 2009," he said at the unwrapping ceremony of the book titled "Sheikh Hasina Sarker" at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Momen said Bangladesh needs the incumbent government for its further development.
Also read: SANEM survey: Population below poverty line doubled, extreme poor trebled in 2020
"Once our annual average growth rate was 2.2 percent. Now it’s 6.9 percent. It's an unbelievable development. Bangabandhu brought freedom and his daughter fulfilled his dreams," he said.
Momen said Bangladesh once faced serious food crisis. The government announced to resolve the problem providing subsidy in agriculture sector. Now there is no food crisis.
"Earlier, power cuts were common [but now] the government has increased power production to 24,000MW from 2009-2020," the minister added.
The Foreign Minister said the government took lots of initiatives to make the population skilled to eliminate unemployment. Besides, the government took steps to tackle climate change impact.
He said that is why the Prime Minister won champion of the earth award and earned the respect of the global audience.
Also read: PM vows to wipe out poverty through united efforts
About Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka, Momen said we are honoured that he chose Bangladesh to be his first tour abroad since the coronavirus outbreak.
He added that 65 countries sent messages to appreciate Bangladesh. They also appreciated Sheikh Hasina for the Rohingya response.
Momen highlighted Bangladesh’s development and said the country currently has a forex reserve of $44 billion and is regarded as a leader in South Asia.
Also read: COVID-19 could push over 1 bln into extreme poverty: UNDP
The author of the book Razu Alim said he tried to include various information about the government of Sheikh Hasina in his book. Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yesmin and Awami League Office Secretary Biplob Barua were also present at the event.
Hasina seeks fair share of Teesta water
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of water of the Teesta River with Bangladesh's fair share to alleviate sufferings of millions.
It is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta water, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both governments in January 2011 to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta River basin, she underscored.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
“There’s positive approach (from Indian side) but a date has not been fixed when it will be delivered. They can’t spell out that it’ll happen within a week,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at a briefing at Sonargaon Hotel.
Maldives sends message of sympathy over Rohingya camp fire
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has sent a message of sympathy to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen, MP, following the devastating fire that blazed through the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar recently.
“I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of the massive fire that swept through the Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, causing loss of lives, destroying homes, and displacing thousands of refugees," he said on Wednesday.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The government and the people of the Maldives, joined him in conveying their profound sympathy and condolences to the government and the people of Bangladesh, and the Rohingyas directly impacted by this tragic incident, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
"I sincerely hope that the efforts of the response teams continue swiftly and successfully, and wish speedy recovery for those affected by this calamity," the message reads.
Connectivity: Bangladesh’s unique location "offers opportunity for all”
Bangladesh has said regional connectivity is one of the most important means of trade and that Bangladesh’s unique geographical location in the region provides an opportunity for all countries in the SAARC, BIMSTEC and BCIM to be connected by road.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came up with the view during her conversation with her Bhutanese counterpart Dr Lotay Tshering.
She reiterated the offer to Bhutan for full access to Bangladesh’s seaports, according to a joint statement between Bangladesh and Bhutan issued on Wednesday night.
The Prime Ministers noted the substantial progress made in the past towards signing an MoU among Bangladesh, Bhutan and India on trilateral cooperation in hydroelectricity.
In order to move forward, they agreed that a Secretary-level meeting among the three countries should take place at an early date.
They also decided to explore the possibility of bilateral cooperation in this sector.
Dr Tshering thanked the government of Bangladesh for its support towards the establishment of the Third International Internet Gateway and Bhutan’s proposal to purchase bandwidth from Bangladesh, which will ensure the reliability of internet and communications for Bhutan.
The discussions between the agencies concerned of the two governments are at an advanced stage and he expressed the hope that the two sides will soon be able to agree on a rate that is mutually acceptable.
Also read: I'm here to hear Bangladesh story sitting next to Hasina: Bhutanese PM
The two Prime Ministers agreed to explore the possibilities of rail connectivity between Bangladesh and Bhutan through the recently inaugurated Chilahati-Haldibari rail interlink between Bangladesh and India.
The Prime Minister of Bhutan, who arrived on March 23 on a state visit, is scheduled to leave here for home on Thursday morning. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will see him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Dr Tshering paid the visit as the Special Representative of Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
He was accompanied by senior officials of the Royal government of Bhutan and a cultural delegation.
The visit of Dr Tshering to Bangladesh at a time of the global pandemic is an exceptional gesture of friendship and goodwill that so happily exist between the two countries.
He laid a floral wreath at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar as a mark of respect to the memory of the sacrifices of the great freedom fighters of Bangladesh.
He also visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Dr Tshering paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a banquet in honour of Dr Lotay Tshering.
Also read: PM for building infrastructures to reap highest benefits from PTA
Foreign Minister Dr Momen met Prime Minister of Bhutan at the latter’s place of residence on March 23.
Dr Tshering delivered the Bangabandhu Memorial Lecture at the National Parade Ground as a special guest at the programme organised to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu.
The official discussions between Bangladesh and Bhutan were held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday in a warm and cordial atmosphere reflecting the time-tested friendship between the two countries.
During the official discussions, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh recalled with gratitude the invaluable support of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan towards Bangladesh’s fight for independence.
In commemoration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence, the two Prime Ministers paid tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the valiant freedom fighters, 3 million martyrs, and two hundred thousand women and children who suffered oppression during the war.
The two Prime Ministers recognised with deep satisfaction the manner in which the historic ties between Bhutan and Bangladesh have evolved over the years into a mutually beneficial relationship.
They stated the kinship, which is based on goodwill, friendship and understanding, is an example of good neighborliness, mutual respect, and cooperation.
Taking note of the challenges imposed by the ongoing pandemic, the two Prime Ministers congratulated each other for successful, effective, and timely initiatives taken by the respective governments.
Dr Tshering expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government of Bangladesh for the support rendered to Bhutan during the pandemic, including the provision of medical supplies.
The two Prime Ministers expressed happiness that both Bhutan and Bangladesh are well on track to graduate from the club of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in 2023 and 2024 respectively despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the recent signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
They, however, noted that bilateral trade has been severely affected by the pandemic and that all-out efforts must be made to overcome the setbacks.
Also read: Bangladesh, Bhutan to examine rail network through India
The two Prime Ministers emphasized holding the Commerce Secretary Level Meeting (CSLM) and Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) as soon as possible, and amend the SOP on the use of inland waterways, and finalise the Protocol to the Transit Agreement on a priority basis.
The two leaders emphasised the need for enhanced private sector cooperation, for which the Chambers of Commerce should come up with innovative ways of doing business.
They also encouraged importers and exporters of Bangladesh and Bhutan to use the riverine route for the transport of goods as a viable alternative to road links.
As a special gesture of goodwill and friendship, and as part of the celebrations of 50 years of Bhutan’s recognition of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided to provide Bhutan internet bandwidth at a friendly rate
Following up on the decision taken during Prime Minister Tshering’s visit in April 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed happiness at the fact that a total of 19 physicians and surgeons have joined various hospitals in Bhutan, and are serving there with good reputation.
They expressed happiness that an increasing number of Bhutanese students are choosing Bangladesh as their preferred destination for undergraduate studies, particularly in medicine.
Bangladesh agreed to increase the number of annual MBBS quota seats for Bhutanese students from 15 (fifteen) to 20 (twenty).
It has also been decided that Bangladesh will issue multiple entry visa to Bhutanese students for full duration of their study subject to the validity of their passports.
The Prime Ministers viewed that the cultural cooperation between the two countries should be further strengthened in order to promote people-to-people contact, and that, in commemoration of the 50th year of our friendship, the two countries should exchange cultural delegations.
Dr Tshering expressed his deep appreciation for the cordial welcome and warm hospitality extended to him and the members of his delegation during their stay in Bangladesh.
He extended invitations to the Hon’ble President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan.
Modi due Friday as main attraction of 10-Day celebration
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the main attraction of the ongoing twin mega celebrations, will arrive here on Friday as the two countries plan for taking the time-tested historical relations to a new height with focus on all areas of cooperation.
Briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the biggest attraction is “Mujib Borsho” and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence and the visit will mainly focus on the joint celebrations.
Also read:Vaccine gift a sign of Hasina-Modi strong ties: FM
He said they are still in negotiations and a number of MoUs have been finalised on major issues. “I can’t tell the exact number at this moment.”
Responding to a question on Teesta issue, the Foreign Minister said the two countries agreed on signing the Teesta Water sharing deal in 2011 but it could not be signed, delivered and implemented. “You know the reason.”
He said they always remain hopeful that the Teesta deal will be signed one day.
During the virtual Summit in December last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the need for early signing of interim agreement for sharing the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts of the government of India to that end.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen said they are working to make the relations stronger saying any issue can be resolved if the relations remain good.
He said Bangladesh and India share 54 common rivers and they are now discussing on six major rivers apart from Teesta.
Also read:Hasina, Modi to meet virtually in December: FM
Bangladesh and India stressed the need for early conclusion of Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six joint rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.
Modi's Engagements
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive on Friday morning by a special flight on a two-day official visit. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive her Indian counterpart upon his arrival in Dhaka.
The Indian Prime Minister will receive 19 gun salutes and will be given the guard of honour.
He will visit National Martyrs Memorial at Savar and Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city to pay tributes to Liberation War martyrs and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Modi will place wreaths and plant sapling at the National Martyrs Memorial and will sign visitors’ book there.
He will also place wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and sign the visitors’ book there.
The Indian Prime Minister will attend the National Parade Ground programme on Friday afternoon. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, among others, will join.
He will jointly inaugurate Bangabandhu-Bapu Museum and attend state banquet preceded by a cultural programme hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Modi will have one-to-one meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart and will hold bilateral talks at the Prime Minister’s Office. He will also meet President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.
German President lauds Bangladesh’s impressive growth
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday said Bangladesh has undergone an “impressive development and is today a vibrant democracy” with high economic growth rates.
“At the same time, Bangladesh has succeeded in clearly reducing poverty in the country using innovative development policy strategies,” he said in a message sent to President Abdul Hamid.
Also read: French senator lauds Bangladesh’s progress; recalls Bangabandhu
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen read out the message at a programme held at the National Parade Ground on Tuesday, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence.
The German President said the world very much values Bangladesh’s peaceful foreign policy and its generous humanitarian engagement, particularly when it comes to taking in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled their homes.
Also read: India praises Hasina's statesmanship, Bangladesh’s "miraculous” progress
“The global challenges of our time, particularly the current pandemic situation and climate change, can only be tackled if we work together. Our many years of friendly relations provide a very firm basis for such cooperation,” the message reads.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence, he conveyed to his Bangladesh counterpart and the people of Bangladesh his sincere congratulations. “I wish you strength and every success for the tasks that lie ahead.”
Also read: Bangladesh’s importance in S Asia growing: US