United News of Bangladesh

India on Tuesday expressed concerns over the ban imposed by the interim government on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League. "The ban on the Awami League without due process is a concerning development," said Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal during a regular media briefing in New Delhi. Bangladesh urges India to take measures to stop push-ins As a democracy, he said, India is naturally concerned at the "curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space." "We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," said the MEA spokesperson. The government has issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) completes the trial of the party’s leaders and activists.

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly pushed 80 Indian nationals into Bangladesh on Wednesday, labelling them as Bangladeshis. According to BGB sources, BSF pushed 27 people into Bangladesh through the Shantipur border and another 23 through Achalong Para of Taindong Union. Besides, 30 people were pushed in through the Ruposhi Para border of Panchhari Upazila. Khagrachhari's acting Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana said 80 Indian nationals, including women and children, have crossed the border through the Matiranga and Panchhari upazilas as of the latest reports. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman said any push-ins should be done in a formal channel and Bangladesh's position is to welcome only its citizens with sufficient proof. "This needs to be done in a formal channel," he said when a journalist wanted to know his comments referring to media reports.  Talking to correspondents, locals said the people who were pushed in are residents of Gujarat state in India, and Muslims. They are reportedly able to speak both Gujarati and Bengali. It was learned that they were brought from Gujarat to Tripura state by two separate flights. Later, they were pushed into Bangladesh by BSF members.  Bangladesh urges calm as tensions rise between India and Pakistan The illegal entry is believed to have occurred via remote forest routes along the Raisyabari and Natun Bazar border areas of Udaipur district in Tripura during the early hours of Wednesday. Those detained said that members of the 114 BSF Elkepara Camp escorted them across the Shantipur border. Before crossing, they were blindfolded and forced to walk for nearly an hour inside Bangladeshi territory, they alleged. Sources from BGB Battalion-3 in Panchhari said security has been reinforced along the border. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel are maintaining constant intelligence surveillance and working to keep the law-and-order situation under control. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the BGB. The upazila administrations are handling their food and security needs and the authorities remain vigilant, the acting DC added.

India has received "strong expressions of support and solidarity" from many governments around the world, including Bangladesh, which have unequivocally condemned the recent terror attack. The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met on Wednesday evening under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism. The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. A number of others sustained injuries. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. Prof Yunus seeks greater Qatari investment, offers exclusive economic zone Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh separately strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in India, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives. “Bangladesh extends deepest condolence to the families of the victims and expresses heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the mindless act of violence," said the MoFA on Wednesday. Bangladesh reiterated its "unwavering commitment" to the global fight against terrorism. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development, said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a statement on the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, he said, the CCS decided upon the following measures: (i) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. (ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025. (iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. (iv) The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. (v) The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025. The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil, said the Indian Foreign Secretary. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account, he said. "As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible," Misri said.

Four Bangladeshi trucks carrying goods were sent back from Benapole Port on Wednesday evening as India revoked the long-standing transshipment facility granted to Bangladesh, which allowed goods to be exported from Bangladesh to third countries via Indian land ports. Rashedul Sajib Nazir, Deputy Director of Benapole Port, said that the Indian government’s cancellation of the transshipment facility led to the Petrapole Customs refusing clearance for third-country goods. “The trucks carrying these goods could not enter India.” He, however, mentioned that the export trade for goods intended for the Indian market is still operating normally. Kartik Chakraborty, General Secretary of the Petrapole Clearing and Forwarding Agents' Staff Welfare Association, said that India’s Ministry of Finance had issued a letter regarding the cancellation of the transshipment facility. India stops transshipment facility for Bangladesh’s export cargo Based on this letter, the entry of goods meant for third countries via Benapole into Petrapole Port was halted. Earlier, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that India has withdrawn the transshipment facility for Bangladesh. "The transshipment facility extended to Bangladesh had over a period of time resulted in significant congestion at our airports and ports,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Chief Adviser’s High Representative Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh has formally urged India not to allow former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to use its territory as a platform for making anti-state or anti-government remarks. He made the statement while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following recent bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit between Dr Yunus and Indian PM Narendra Modi, held on April 4 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok. He mentioned that during the meeting, they placed a request regarding Hasina’s extradition and both sides will work on it, Khalilur said, adding, “Prime Minister Modi clearly stated that India’s relationship with Bangladesh is not based on any individual or political party, but on state-to-state ties. We agree with that and wish to strengthen bilateral relations on that basis.” “We have our own Gaza, but no protest,” says Khalilur  Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were also present at the event. Minority repression ‘hurts national progress’ Addressing a separate issue, Khalilur said that suppression of minority communities only harms a country’s development. He blamed the legacy of British colonial rule for sowing communal divisions that still persist in the subcontinent. “Whenever we hold discussions with India, they bring up the issue of minority repression in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that although the British are gone, the problems they created still persist. Dividing communities was a colonial tactic, and both our nations continue to suffer from it,” he said. He warned that excluding minorities from the mainstream weakens a nation’s overall capacity. “When people cannot participate in national life, the country loses out,” he noted. Khalilur also addressed the political violence that followed the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. “We acknowledge that in the five to seven days following August 5, there was effectively no functioning government. During that period, many incidents took place. Unfortunately, members and supporters of the fallen party, regardless of their religion, faced various forms of violence. This is deeply regrettable. No one should take the law into their own hands,” he said. Water treaty negotiations ongoing Khalilur mentioned that discussions are ongoing with India to renew the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which expires in 2026. Rohingya repatriation hinges on Arakan stability: Khalilur Rahman “Both countries are maintaining communication to ensure a smooth negotiation process. We believe India will extend constructive cooperation,” he said. He also raised concerns over the Teesta River, pointing out that 14 per cent of Bangladesh’s population lives in the Teesta basin. He noted that their livelihoods, the region’s ecology, and future are all dependent on the availability of water. Without water, the area becomes uninhabitable, he said. Khalilur emphasised that ensuring a minimum flow of water in the Teesta basin is a top priority for the government, adding that they cannot allow such a large portion of population to live in a precarious condition. “That is why we said India to sign a water-sharing agreement while also exploring alternative solutions,” he added.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Friday enquired about the status of Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which remains pending with the Indian government. Dr Yunus discussed the issue during the much-talked-about bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit. He noted that the former Prime Minister had been making inflammatory remarks in various media outlets and attempting to destabilise the situation in Bangladesh, which seemed to be an abuse of the hospitality India has extended to her. "She has consistently made false and inflammatory accusations against the interim government of Bangladesh," Prof Yunus stated. "We request that the Government of India take appropriate measures to restrain her from continuing to make such incendiary statements while she remains in your country," said the Chief Adviser. Addressing the challenges facing the relationship between the two countries, Prof Yunus said, "Excellency, we seek to work together with you to set the relationship on the right track for the benefit of both our peoples." Dr Yunus called for discussions to renew the Ganges Water Treaty and conclude the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. "All issues of mutual interests were discussed. The meeting was very constructive, productive and fruitful," Alam said about the 40-minute exchange between the two leaders. The bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit is viewed as the most significant development in Dhaka-Delhi relations since the July Uprising in Bangladesh. This was the first-ever in-person meeting between the two South Asian leaders since the formation of Bangladesh's interim government last August 8, following the fall of the previous government three days earlier. Chief Adviser Dr Yunus presented a photograph to Prime Minister Modi during their bilateral meeting. The photo is about Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting a gold medal to Dr Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress that took place in Mumbai on January 3, 2015. Prof Yunus also referenced the OHCHR’s Fact-Finding Report, which confirmed serious human rights violations and abuses committed by security forces and armed Awami League activists between July 15 and August 5, 2024.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said their North-Eastern region, in particular, is emerging as a connectivity hub for the BIMSTEC, with a myriad network of roads, railways, waterways, grids and pipelines. “We, after all, have the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, of almost 6500km. India shares borders not only with five BIMSTEC members, connects most of them, but also provides much of the interface between the Indian Sub-continent and ASEAN,” he said, adding that India is aware of its special responsibility in regard to BIMSTEC. Speaking at the 20th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting, Jaishankar said they believe that cooperation is an integrated outlook, not one subject to cherry picking. The EAM said the completion of the “trilateral highway” will connect India’s North East all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a veritable game-changer. He said they are conscious that their cooperation and facilitation are an essential pre-requisite for the smooth flow of goods, services and people in this larger geography. Keeping this geo-strategic factor in mind, Jaishankar said they have devoted increasing energies and attention to the strengthening of BIMSTEC in the last decade. He said this regional organisation represents the trifecta of three of our crucial initiatives: the Act East policy, the Neighbourhood First approach and the MAHA-SAGAR outlook. Society collapses due to wealth, power concentration: Dr Yunus “It is also on the pathway to our Indo-Pacific commitment. In order to promote BIMSTEC, what India is doing is to draw the best from all of them and then synergize that with our collective efforts,” said the Indian Minister, adding that their bilateral relationships with individual BIMSTEC members are also strong and steadily growing is a further source of strength. “At the end of the day, what we seek to create is a strong structural framework with a substantial relevance to our people,” he said, adding that by having a real commitment towards enhancing the growth of BIMSTEC. By finalising a BIMSTEC Charter in 2024 and holding four Summits in the last decade, Jaishankar said, they are sending a strong message to that effect. Dr Yunus arrives in Bangkok ahead of BIMSTEC Summit “Our job is to prepare for a successful Summit tomorrow where our leaders will reinforce the pillars of cooperation, witness the signing of significant agreements and declare the establishment of Centres of Excellence,” said the EAM. “I am confident that we will not only accomplish the ground work properly but set the stage for the emergence of the Bay of Bengal as a vibrant and energetic region,” Jaishankar said, noting that the nations around and proximate to the Bay of Bengal have both common interests and shared concerns.

President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended felicitations on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh with India reiterating its commitment to advancing partnership for peace, stability and prosperity. "We remain committed to advancing this partnership, driven by our common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity and based on mutual sensitivity to each other's interests and concerns," Modi said in a message to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Modi extended his felicitations to Dr Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh. "This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices, that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership," said the Indian Prime Minister. He said the spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh continues to remain a guiding light for the relationship, which has flourished across multiple domains, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. President Droupadi Murmu, in her message to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, said, "On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the friendly people of Bangladesh on the occasion of your National Day." Bangladesh, China to sign key deals as Dr Yunus to meet Xi in Beijing on March 28 She said Bangladesh-India relations are multi-faceted with our cooperation encompassing diverse areas such as trade, multimodal connectivity, development partnership, power and energy, education, capacity building, cultural cooperation and people-to people exchanges. The Indian President said Bangladesh is at the focus of India's "Neighborhood First" and "Act East" policies. "Our SAGAR doctrine and the Indo-Pacific Vision. India reiterates its support for a democratic, stable, inclusive, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh," she said.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday expressed his hope over normalisation of visa issue with India but stressed that the decision to issue a visa is considered a "sovereign right" of a country. "We did not create visa complications. India has stopped it for whatever reason. It is their sovereign right.... ," he said, adding that if a country does not issue a visa to anyone or to any group, no question can be raised about it as it is their decision. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain said they hope that India will announce their decision or step up their activities so that people who want to go to India can get visas. The Foreign Adviser said what Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said is completely the position of Bangladesh. "We have always said we want a good working relationship (with India) on the basis of reciprocity and mutual respect," he said, adding that is the reflection of their clear position. Highlighting historical close ties, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus told BBC Bangla that there is no alternative to maintaining a good relationship between Bangladesh and India, as there had been some clouds in the relations that mainly came through propaganda. No alternative to strong Bangladesh-India ties: Dr Yunus "Some conflicts had been seen in the midway. I would say some clouds were seen. These clouds mostly came through propaganda. Others will judge the sources of those as propaganda," he told BBC Bangla in an interview published on Monday. Responding to a specific question, Dr Yunus said the relations between the two neighbours are in very good shape and there has been "no deterioration". Following that, Dr Yunus said, there had been some misunderstandings. "We are trying to overcome these misunderstandings. There is no problem in our basic relationship," Dr Yunus said. The Chief Adviser said he had always explained that the relations between Bangladesh and India are so deep, still the relationship is in good shape and it will remain good in the future. "There is no alternative to maintain good relations between the two countries," said Dr Yunus. He said that the relationship between Bangladesh and India is "historically, politically and economically" are very close and they "cannot deviate" from this. He said there is continuous communication between the two countries. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message to Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, later they had a telephone conversation, and Modi invited Prof Yunus to join the third Voice of Global South Summit hosted virtually by New Delhi on August 17 last year.

Highlighting historical close ties, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said there is no alternative to maintaining a good relationship between Bangladesh and India, as there had been some clouds in the relations that mainly came through propaganda. "Some conflicts had been seen in the midway. I would say some clouds were seen. These clouds mostly came through propaganda. Others will judge the sources of those as propaganda," he told BBC Bangla in an interview published on Monday. A fugitive party trying to destablise Bangladesh: Dr Yunus tells BBC Bangla The interim government is set to complete its seven months tenure and diplomatic sources suggest a possible first ever in-person meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Bimstec Summit to be held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025. Responding to a specific question, Dr Yunus said the relations between the two neighbours are in very good shape and there has been "no deterioration". Following that, Dr Yunus said, there had been some misunderstandings. "We are trying to overcome those misunderstandings. There is no problem in our basic relationship," Dr Yunus said. The Chief Adviser said he had always explained that the relations between Bangladesh and India are so deep, still the relationship is in good shape and it will remain good in the future.  "There is no alternative to maintain good relations between the two countries," said Dr Yunus. He said that the relationship between Bangladesh and India is "historically, politically and economically" are very close and they "cannot deviate" from this. Dr Yunus also referred to huge "interdependencies" on each other. He said there is continuous communication between the two countries. Dr Yunus calls for documentation of "atrocities" committed by past regime The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message to Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, later they had a telephone conversation, and Modi invited Prof Yunus to join the third Voice of Global South Summit hosted virtually by New Delhi on August 17 last year. On January 1 this year, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made it clear that maintaining good relationships with three big countries - India, China and the United States- is among the priorities in 2025. He stressed that Dhaka’s ties with Delhi will advance beyond a single issue.   Adviser Hossain recently had a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Muscat, Oman and invited him to visit Bangladesh as part of Foreign Minister-level mechanism that the two countries have. Hossain said both Dhaka and New Delhi agreed to have "good working relations" by removing the remaining problems. "We - both sides - agreed that we need to reach a good working relationship," Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs referring to his recent meeting with Jaishankar in Muscat, Oman. He said businesses have already picked up and apparently reached their previous level but there are still some issues like visa related problems. Meanwhile, Jaishankar in a separate program in New Delhi said Bangladesh needs to make up its mind what kind of relationship it wants with New Delhi, stressing that the two neighbours share a very special history that goes back to 1971. “If every day someone in the interim government stands up and blames India for everything, some of those things if you look at the reports are absolutely ridiculous. You cannot, on one hand, say I would now like to have good relations with you, but I get up every morning and blame you for everything that goes wrong. It is also a decision that they have to make," Jaishankar said while speaking at the Delhi University Literature Festival. He said India has sent a very clear signal to Dhaka that it would like to see things “calm down” and the resumption of normal bilateral ties, but it is unhappy with the constantly hostile messaging emanating from across the border. Jaishankar shared two aspects of what is "very troubling" for them. The spate of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, obviously it is something which impacts our thinking and it is something we have to speak up about, which we have done," he said, sharing the first aspect of the situation. The second aspect is they (Bangladesh) have their politics, but at the end of the day, the two countries are neighbours, Jaishankar said, adding that "they have to make up their minds on what kind of relationship they want to have with us.” "We have a long history with Bangladesh. We have a very special history with Bangladesh. It goes back to 1971," Jaishankar said. A fugitive group (Bangladesh Awami League) has left the country or their leadership has left, the Chief Adviser told BBC Bangla, adding that they are trying their best to unsettle it (the country). Dr Yunus calls for making int'l conference on Rohingya crisis a big success Dr Yunus spoke to BBC Bangla about the law and order situation, reforms and elections, the formation of a new student leadership party, and political developments during the nearly seven months of the interim government under his leadership.