United News of Bangladesh

Noting that the story of Bangladesh-China relations extends far beyond the fifty years of formal diplomatic ties, scholars from both countries at a book launching-cum-seminar have said the next fifty years promise even greater opportunities for both nations and for the wider region with vision, patience, and continued cooperation. Ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s scheduled visit to China later this month, the experts highlighted that understanding history is essential for shaping the future and that the friendship between Bangladesh and China, nurtured over generations, remains a bridge connecting civilizations, economies, and people. China supports Bangladesh’s development: Mirza Fakhrul The event marking the formal launching of a book titled “50 Years of Bangladesh-China Relations: Achievements, Challenges & Prospects” was held in city’s Baridhara on Friday evening as part of the Cosmos Dialogue hosted by Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group. The seminar was chaired by renowned scholar and Cosmos Foundation President Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury while Catherine Grace Gardner Khan made the formal announcement of the event with her brief remarks. The book is co-edited by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan and Professor Imtiaz Ahmed.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu has shared some of the finest Bangladeshi mangoes with friends across Nepal under this year’s “Season’s Best Compliments” initiative as a diplomatic gesture of goodwill and friendship. More than 1,750 kilograms of premium-quality Bangladeshi mangoes were presented to Nepali dignitaries, senior government officials, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps in Kathmandu, business leaders, civil society representatives, and close friends and well-wishers of Bangladesh and its people. The Embassy team delivered mango packs to more than 360 esteemed recipients, including the President of Nepal, the Speaker, and members of the Council of Ministers, according to a media release issued on Friday. The mangoes, freshly harvested from two orchards in Chapai Nawabganj, also known as the mango capital of Bangladesh, were carefully transported to Nepal via Banglabandha Port, Fulbari Land Port (Siliguri border), and Kakarbhitta Port to ensure quality and freshness upon arrival. The consignment featured the celebrated Khirshapat variety, a GI-certified mango widely regarded as one of the most flavorful varieties in the Indian subcontinent. The initiative reflects the enduring friendship and close people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu. The gesture symbolises the warmth, goodwill, and spirit of diplomacy that continue to strengthen bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. The Embassy of Bangladesh expressed its sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to making this unique “Mango Diplomacy” initiative in Nepal a grand success.

Bangladesh and Russia on Monday discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in energy, trade and investment, while reviewing the current status and future prospects of bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, during which the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues, a senior official told UNB. Rooppur nuclear power plant to provide up to 10% of Bangladesh’s total electricity generation: Russia The Foreign Minister is on a three-day visit to Russia at the invitation of his Russian counterpart. Following the bilateral talks, the two Foreign Ministers addressed a joint media briefing. This marks Dr Khalilur’s first visit to Russia in his current capacity. Dr Khalilur arrived in Moscow on Sunday, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir is accompanying the Foreign Minister on the visit. Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Md Nazrul Islam received the delegation at the airport. Ahead of the visit, Russia described the construction of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur as the flagship project of bilateral cooperation, noting that the facility is expected to generate up to 10 percent of the country’s total electricity once fully operational. The Russian side said the project has laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s nuclear energy sector and contributed to the training of qualified national personnel. The first unit of the plant was commissioned on April 28, while the second unit could also be launched later this year. Highlighting broader energy cooperation, Russia noted that its expertise in conventional energy remains in high demand in Bangladesh. Between 2012 and 2023, Gazprom International Limited, a subsidiary of PJSC Gazprom, drilled and completed turnkey projects for around 20 wells in Bangladeshi gas fields. The Russian side also pointed to opportunities for expanding cooperation in education. The previous meeting between the two foreign ministers took place in September 2023 during Lavrov’s working visit to Dhaka. The current visit also includes meetings with the leadership of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Describing Bangladesh as a longstanding partner in South Asia, Russia recalled that it was among the first countries to recognize Bangladesh’s independence in 1972 and subsequently provided significant political and economic support. Between 1972 and 1974, Soviet naval forces assisted in clearing mines and sunken vessels from Chattogram port and its surrounding waters. According to the Russian side, political dialogue between the two countries has continued steadily, with contacts maintained at various levels, including the highest leadership. Following the resumption of Bangladesh’s Parliament earlier this year, contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries are also expected. The two countries continue to cooperate closely within the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other multilateral forums. Bilateral trade has consistently exceeded US$2 billion annually in recent years. Russia’s key exports to Bangladesh include industrial equipment, mineral fertilizers and wheat, while Bangladesh exports ready-made garments and seafood to Russia. The Intergovernmental Russian-Bangladesh Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation remains the principal mechanism for advancing bilateral economic ties. The commission has held four meetings to date, with the most recent taking place virtually on March 15, 2023. For the 2025-26 academic year, Russia has allocated 185 scholarships for Bangladeshi students under its federally funded education programme.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Bangladesh is keen to deepen its engagement with African nations and elevate its partnership with Morocco to a new horizon of cooperation, shared prosperity and strategic opportunity. She made the remarks during her meeting with Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates in Rabat on May 19. The two leaders highlighted the importance of sustained high-level exchanges in advancing political relations. State Minister Shama Obaed is currently on an official visit to Morocco to attend the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment, scheduled to be held in Rabat today (May 20), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister fondly recalled the historic visit of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Morocco in 1980 and expressed appreciation for Morocco’s gracious gesture of honouring the nation by naming an avenue in Rabat after him. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating Bangladesh-Morocco ties across diverse sectors, including trade and investment, textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, sports, culture, agriculture, education, women empowerment, shipbuilding and people-to-people connectivity, alongside stronger multilateral collaboration. They also agreed to convene the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at the earliest in Dhaka to assess ongoing cooperation and explore new areas of mutual interest. The State Minister extended an invitation to the Moroccan Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has emphasised that although Bangladesh and African countries collaborate extensively in multilateral settings, there is a pressing need to establish regular bilateral political consultations. She said such initiatives would further deepen mutual understanding and help unlock the full potential of partnerships across a wide range of sectors. The State Minister held a series of bilateral meetings in Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday on the margins of the “Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa”, reinforcing Bangladesh’s growing engagement with African nations under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Her discussions with African counterparts opened new avenues for partnership, revitalised diplomatic ties and underscored a shared commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In her bilateral meeting with Morissanda Kouyaté, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea, both leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in agriculture, particularly contract farming, alongside enhancing trade and investment through increased business-to-business exchanges. They identified mineral resources, garments and textiles and pharmaceuticals as promising sectors for future cooperation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During her bilateral meeting with The Gambia’s Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie, the State Minister expressed appreciation for The Gambia’s continued support in addressing the Rohingya crisis, including its case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. The Gambian Minister commended Bangladesh’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. Both sides emphasised strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums such as the OIC, while expanding engagement in sectors, including trade, defence, technology, agriculture, culture and sports. In a separate bilateral meeting with Abdoulaye Diop, Foreign Minister of Mali, discussions focused on boosting trade and investment, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, jute, cotton and leather. Mali’s Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s significant role in peacekeeping operations in Mali. Both parties also agreed to deepen cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement and advance the interests of the Global South. The State Minister also met Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of Niger, where discussions centered on strengthening business linkages, expanding trade and enhancing people-to-people connectivity. Opportunities for collaboration in education, vocational training, agriculture, healthcare, information technology and mineral resources were explored. In her meeting with Esmeralda Bravo Conde da Silva Mendonça, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Angola, both the highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, jute and energy. They also emphasized the early finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding on Foreign Office Consultations and discussed collaboration on women’s empowerment, democracy, peace and security, alongside mutual support in international forums. Additionally, Richard Michaels, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the US met the State Minister when the later described the United States as a steadfast partner in promoting democracy, strengthening institutions and advancing human rights. Sadia Faizunnesa, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Morocco and Ambassador-designate to Senegal, accompanied the State Minister during the meetings.

Bangladesh and Ethiopia have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a higher level through enhanced economic cooperation. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, now visiting Ethiopia, held a meeting Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos and discussed issues of mutual interest.  

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Tuesday reaffirmed France’s continued support for strengthening defence cooperation with Bangladesh. While visiting the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), the Ambassador expressed interest in exploring new opportunities for further collaboration with the institute. The Ambassador commended the professionalism, efficiency, and global standards maintained by BIPSOT as a key training hub for UN peace operations, said the French Embassy in Dhaka. He highlighted the strong cooperation between France and Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping operations, particularly under missions such as the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) where Bangladesh remains one of the leading troop-contributing countries. He was given an overview of the institution’s training activities and its role in preparing personnel for UN peacekeeping missions. The Ambassador especially appreciated the strong emphasis placed on French language training, as some UN missions are active in Francophone countries.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has appreciated Portugal’s continued support in hosting a significant number of Bangladeshi expatriates and called for the expanded recruitment of both skilled and semi-skilled workers. She underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral trade including increasing Bangladesh’s exports of jute and jute-based products to the EU market, and invited greater Portuguese investment. The State Minister met Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ana Isabel Xavier on the sidelines of the “Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa” held in Dakar, Senegal on April 20, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. They also discussed enhancing cooperation in areas such as sports, culture and women’s empowerment, and exchanged views on addressing the Rohingya crisis.

US Special Envoy for Best Future Generations Charles J. Harder has met senior government officials and stakeholders to expand partnerships that support Bangladesh's next generation. He paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh from April 18 to strengthen Bangladesh-US strategic cooperation on education and the well-being of children. Special Envoy Harder and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen had a 'productive meeting' with Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Monday. They discussed how American educational expertise can equip Bangladeshi youth with skills that drive economic growth and prosperity. Special Envoy Harder and Ambassador Christensen also met Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam to advance bilateral cooperation and work together on partnerships that benefit future generations in both countries. Earlier, Special Envoy Harder and Ambassador Christensen visited the Surovi school and health camp. Their discussion with founder Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu focused on the school's integrated approach to education, nutrition, and health—and how this model is critical for helping future generations thrive, said the US Embassy in Dhaka. Special Envoy Charles Harder and Deputy Chief of Mission Megan Bouldin visited Lalbagh Fort, hosted by Bangladesh's Department of Archaeology. The Special Envoy toured the Mughal-era Hammam Khana, which the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation helped restore—demonstrating U.S. dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations. The US Special Envoy arrived in Dhaka on Saturday to advance the 'strategic cooperation' on education and the well-being of children. The mission of Special Envoy Harder’s office is to protect and promote the interests and well-being of children (0-17) throughout the world. The focus of his office is the protection and well-being of children throughout the world, with particular focus on food security, education, healthcare, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), and ending child labor, trafficking, and recruitment into gangs and armed conflict.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam will represent Bangladesh at Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security, which will be held in Senegal from April 19–22. The State Minister left Dhaka for Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday morning to attend the Forum, said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is expected to return to Bangladesh on April 24.