Foreign-Affairs
Dhaka for expediting BIMSTEC process with enhanced trade, investment
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday urged Member States to expedite BIMSTEC process noting that an enhanced trade and investment in this region will facilitate income and employment generation.
"Seamless multi-modal connectivity is a precondition for trade and investment promotion and people to people contact," he said.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks at the 17th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting virtually held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Also read: Bimstec SG lauds Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development
The meeting approved/endorsed several BIMSTEC agreements, conventions, MoUs and other important documents /instruments envisaged to be signed/adopted at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
The Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials of all the seven BIMSTEC Member States joined the meeting.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen accompanied the Foreign Minister in the meeting
The 5th BIMSTEC Summit is expected to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka this year subject to the COVID situation.
Dr Momen said BIMSTEC is a member driven organization and members organize the meetings and events to build consensus on cooperation and undertake programme of action in various sectors.
"We need to work simultaneously on a faster pace in all priority sectors to bring synergy in our cooperation to make BIMSTEC a result oriented regional forum," he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh is celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th Anniversary of Independence.
"The Father of the Nation was a visionary leader. In early 1972 he thought of working together with the neighbours in the region for collective progress and prosperity of our peoples. Regional cooperation has been our foreign policy priorities since then," said the Foreign Minister.
He said the Father of the Nation’s able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to join BIMSTEC as its founding member in 1997 bears the testimony of our commitment to regional cooperation.
Also read: Bimstec offers huge prospects for economic cooperation: Dhaka
"It is manifested in hosting the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. As the host country Bangladesh is committed to extend all possible support to strengthen the Secretariat," he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh facilitated and supported the consideration and adoption of a series of vital documents in the meeting chaired by Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and Chairman of the said Meeting.
The meeting approved and recommended the finalized draft text of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, the finalized draft text of the Memorandum of Association on the Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka and the draft text of the MoU on Mutual Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies/Training Institutions of BIMSTEC Member States for signature during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
It approved the rationalization of sectors and sub-sectors of BIMSTEC and the Template of the Memorandum of Association (MoA) on the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Centres/Entities for adoption during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
Also read: Dhaka for greater intra-OIC trade, contract farming
It also adopted Joint Statement of the 17th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting and BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity for onward submission to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit and recommended the draft Text of the Summit Declaration as per recommendation of the Special SOM held virtually yesterday in Colombo.
"We need the legal documents to be ready for signature at the earliest," Dr Momen said adding that hosting meeting regularly and concurrences and participation of Member States in those meetings are very much crucial in this regard.
Foreign envoys to visit Bhasan Char on April 3
Envoys representing Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America will visit Bhasan Char on April 3 to see the facilities in place for Rohingyas.
The Ambassadors and the High Commissioners of the diplomatic missions were invited to participate in a government-led visit to Bhasan Char.
Also read: Rohingya relocation: 2,495 going to Bhasan Char in 6th phase
This visit by resident diplomatic envoys follows the UN team’s first visit to Bhasan Char that took place from 17 – 20 March.
During this first visit to Bhasan Char by some of the heads of mission whose countries are contributing to the Rohingya response, participants will have an opportunity to see some of the facilities and services on the island.
They will have a chance to meet with relocated Rohingyas, authorities, and others living and working there.
Also read:Bhashan Char: 'No place for the curious to flock to the island'
COVID-19 protocols will be followed in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Government of Bangladesh, said a joint media release on Thursday.
Envoys look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh on its Bhasan Char project, as well as with the UN and other relevant partners following the visit.
Further conversations are needed, especially between the Government of Bangladesh and UN to discuss the policy and technical issues in detail, it said.
The government has planned to relocate 1 lakh Rohingyas to Bhasan Char to decongest the overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar that have temporarily been accommodating nearly a million of Rohingyas with many more thousands born each year.
The government said the deteriorating security situation due to prolonged stay of these frustrated people in Cox’s Bazar also compelled the government of Bangladesh to come up with a contingency plan and develop Bhashan Char from its own budgetary allocation.
Accordingly, the government invested more than $350 million to develop the island.
The 13,000-acre island has all modern amenities, year-round fresh water, beautiful lake and proper infrastructure and enhanced facilities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
These include uninterrupted supply of electricity and water, agricultural plots, cyclone shelters, two hospitals, four community clinics, mosques, warehouses, telecommunication services, police station, recreation and learning centers, playgrounds, etc.
Also read: Another batch of Rohingyas reaches Bhasan Char
In contrast to the makeshift structures of the camps in Cox’s Bazar, the accommodation in Bhashan Char is strongly-built with concrete foundation which can withstand natural disasters such as cyclones and tidal waves, said the government.
Super Cyclone Amphan proved the strength of the structures of Bhashan Char, it said.
Contrary to the apprehension of some quarters about the feasibility of the island, Bhashan Char stood firm against the massive storm, said
Despite the heightened tidal wave, all the 1,440 houses and 120 shelter stations in the island remained unharmed, the statement said.
The island is connected with the mainland through waterways.
Facilities for Rohingyas
The MoFA said the government of Bangladesh has ensured adequate supply of food along with proper sanitation and medical facilities for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char.
Appropriate hospitals with highly-qualified health professionals, adequate Covid-19 testing and treatment facilities are there in place, it said.
In addition to government agencies, around 22 NGOs are already there to extend all possible support to the relocated Rohingyas.
Adequate security has been ensured in the island by deploying police personnel, including policewomen, and the area is fully covered with CCTV cameras.
On the relocation, the government said its position was very clear and transparent from the very beginning that any relocation would be entirely on a voluntary basis.
Accordingly, a good number of Rohingya representatives undertook a “go-and-see” visit to Bhashan Char to see the facilities and make an independent and informed choice, MoFA said.
A number of NGOs and journalists also visited the island.
All of them expressed their high satisfaction at the available facilities in Bhashan Char, MoFA added.
More importantly, the relocation was preceded by adequate preparations and consultations held with different stakeholders, MoFA said.
The MoFA said the skill development and livelihood opportunity that the Rohingyas would be able to avail in Bhashan Char would prepare them for their reintegration in the Myanmar society on return.
The types of economic activities such as fishing, agriculture, goat rearing, etc that they used to pursue in Rakhine state are available in Bhashan Char.
Repatriation attempter failed twice in November 2018 and August 2019 amid Rohingyas' lack of trust in the Myanmar government.
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 thinks Rohingyas will "jeopardise regional and international security" if the 1.1 million people are left unattended and not given the opportunity to return to their homeland.
Promoting respect for rights a global effort, says US
The United States has said promoting respect for human rights is not something they can do alone but is best accomplished working with their allies and partners across the globe, including Bangladesh.
The US State Department released the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, an annual report required by U.S. law on Tuesday.
Guided by the United Nations’ Universal Declarations on Human Rights and subsequent human rights treaties, the country reports do not draw legal conclusions, rate countries, or declare whether they failed to meet standards. The United States said it is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable.
As the United States and Bangladesh discuss common challenges, promoting democracy, good governance, and human rights will remain paramount, as discussed by Secretary of State Blinken and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in their February 21 phone call.
The United States and Bangladesh remain partners in addressing these matters together, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic values with our diplomatic leadership, and one that is centered on the defense of democracy and the protection of human rights.
KOICA unveils multi-component cooperation aimed at youth entrepreneurship
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will support a budget of $7.5 million from 2020-2024 for infrastructure, developing entrepreneurship education module and building capacity, research and advocacy in Bangladesh.
It will help strengthen the network and relationship among stakeholders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bangladesh.
KOICA Bangladesh organised a meeting for the project entitled “Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship” held virtually on Wednesday (March 31, 2021) due to Covid-19 current condition.
Also read: KOICA holds de-briefing seminar on capacity building for OSH
This project is expected to improve the environment for potential youth entrepreneurs through the capacity building of Bangladeshi universities on entrepreneurship education.
Doh Young-Ah, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh, mentioned the importance of an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem for Bangladesh’s development journey.
The project will combine the best practices and experiences of South Korea and Bangladesh to address socio-economic challenges and opportunities through entrepreneurial initiatives.
Also read: KOICA supports Mugda Hospital with ICU, medical supplies in COVID-19 response
Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka, welcomed the initiative and expressed his cooperation to implement the project successfully to improve the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bangladesh.
Derik Kim, project manager, and chief consultant, Korea Productivity Center, on behalf of the Korean Project Management Consulting (PMC) consortium comprising of Korea Productivity Center (KPC) & Korea Polytechnic University (KPU) team, made a presentation on the project scope, timeline, and deliverables, and highlighted the future implementation plans with the University of Dhaka.
Derik Kim shared some of the components of the project, including space design and construction, curriculum development and entrepreneurship education, overseas training on entrepreneurship for faculty members and relevant government officials, seminars, hackathon, thematic session, Bootcamp, entrepreneurship contest winner’s capacity building, and community mapping, etc.
Also read: KOICA to help strengthen Bangladesh's road maintenance, management system
Faculties, students, employees, relevant officials from different government organizations, policymakers, regulators, startup community, and others will be the beneficiaries of this unique University-led project.
The meeting's objective was to share the overall project aim like improve the overall ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Bangladesh through universities' capacity building to nurture the youth's potential minds, and discuss the statement of work, project scope, timeline, deliverables in the project and future implementation plans with the University of Dhaka.
China committed to remain engaged in future development
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday said China will coordinate sustainable and green development and respond to the core concerns of Bangladesh and the international community on climate change.
He made the remarks at a webinar titled-“Impressions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on newly born People’s Republic of China” organised by Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum.
“Bangladesh has just completed a 10-day long grand celebration on the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my highest tribute to Bangabandhu. As a friendly neighbour, we are very proud and glad to see the prosperity and progress of Bangladesh,” he added.
Li Jiming also said over the past 46 years, China and Bangladesh have carried forward the traditional friendship, continuously deepened political mutual trust, and promoted economic and trade cooperation.
During President Xi's state visit to Bangladesh in October 2016, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and decided to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership of cooperation.
“China has been Bangladesh's largest trading partner for years. In July last year, China began to offer zero-tariff treatment to 97% of Bangladesh's exports, and Bangladesh has ushered in a new golden age in exporting to China, Chinese market, the largest single retail market in the world and attracting Chinese and foreign investors,” he added.
Also read: Will strengthen development strategies with Bangladesh: Chinese President
During the pandemic, China and Bangladesh supported each other and worked together to overcome difficulties. At the difficult time for China to fight the pandemic, the government and people of Bangladesh donated a large number of medical materials to China, he also said.
The two countries have also overcome the impact of the pandemic to advance cooperation projects such as the Padma Bridge and a multi-lane road tunnel under the Karnaphuli River. The Payra Power Plant has been completed and is going to go into commercial operation.
“In 2021, China and Bangladesh have both entered a new stage of development. China has completed building a moderately prosperous society in all respects successfully and is going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and embark on the 14th Five-Year Plan to achieve the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, while Bangladesh celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence and embark on the 8th Five-Year Plan to achieve the Vision 2041,” he also said.
“At present, the COVID-19 epidemic has brought the world into a period of turbulence and change. Only by maintaining strategic focus in the face of challenges, sticking to the theme of development and working together can we promote China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation entering a new stage. China and Bangladesh should adhere to the common commitment of upholding multilateralism made by the heads of states, and contribute to world peace and stability in the post-pandemic era,” Li Jiming said.
He added that Bangladesh’s GDP has maintained a growth rate of over 6% for many years in a row. This has raised the welfare of Bangladeshi people. Recently, Bangladesh has obtained the qualification to graduate from the Least Developed Countries as assessed by the United Nations.
Also read: Bangladesh, China discuss Covid vaccine assistance: Envoy
In his video message, China’s president Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches great importance to China-Bangladesh relations.
“In the future, we would like to work with people from all walks of life in Bangladesh to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of our two nations, promote the synergy between the two countries to achieve high-quality coordinated development, and promote the early realization of the Chinese Dream and the dream of "Sonar Bangla. I am confident that with the concerted efforts of China and Bangladesh, China-Bangladesh cooperation will yield even more golden fruits,” he also added.
Li Jiming said to continue the expansion of cooperation, China has decided to donate 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh, ensuring the fulfillment of China's commitment to making vaccines more accessible and affordable in developing countries.
Professor Dr. Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister; Rashed Khan Menon, President of Workers Party of Bangladesh, Hasanul Haque Inu, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, Advisory Council Member of Bangladesh Awami League, and Dilip Barua, Chairperson of Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum also joined in the virtual discussion.
Tackling Covid-19: Ambassador Miller lauds epidemiologists, public health experts
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller on Wednesday praised the epidemiologists and public health experts who continue to serve as Bangladesh’s frontline of defense to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has taught us many things. One of those things is policy and actions are only as effective as the science and data they are built upon,” he said.
Miller said they can promote mask wearing and social distancing because they know the science and data tells them it works.
“We can promote vaccination because the data from the vaccine trials and post vaccination surveillance tells us the vaccines are safe and effective. None of this is possible without epidemiologists and public health experts,” he said.
The US Ambassador inaugurated the first “Bangladesh Congress on Epidemiology and Public Health” and the two-day conference (Wednesday-Thursday) includes in-person and online sessions sharing experiences and scientific lessons from Bangladesh about COVID-19; establishing a global network of public health experts to apply COVID-19 lessons to prepare for future pandemics and outbreaks; and building support for expanding the number of epidemiologists and public health experts in Bangladesh.
Also read: Will work together with Bangladesh, global partners against Covid-19 pandemic: Miller
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is partnering with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), and the Epidemiology Association of Bangladesh to sponsor this first-ever national conference focused on the vital roles field epidemiology and public health play in saving lives and keeping people healthy from serious diseases in Bangladesh and across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Strict implementation of Paris deal only way forward for sustainable future: Dhaka
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh firmly believes that strict implementation of the Paris Agreement is the only way forward for a sustainable future.
"We suggest that CVF-COP prosperity partnership may be a way forward," he said adding that they need political commitment to build back better for a sustainable, prosperous and resilient future through shared responsibility and concerted actions.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing the "Climate and Development Ministerial" organised by the UK as the Presidency of COP26
Also read:Bangladesh welcome US return to the Paris climate accord
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has adopted excellent adaptation and mitigation activities to enhance its climate resilience.
As the first LDC, he said, Bangladesh established a Climate Change Trust Fund where the government has allocated nearly $443 million from her own resources.
This year, as part of the celebration of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh is planting 11.2 million trees across the nation.
"We're going to implement the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ to achieve low carbon economic growth for optimised prosperity and partnership," he said.
Dr Momen mentioned that green growth, resilient infrastructure and renewable energy are key pillars of this prosperity plan, which is a paradigm shift from vulnerability to resilience and now from resilience to prosperity.
Bangladesh also has established a Regional Global Adaptation Centre in Dhaka with a view to disseminate local based innovative adaptation strategies, he said.
Also read:FM for engaging youth power globally on climate front
However, Dr Momen said, adaptation without significant mitigation is not enough. "Our parliament has adopted a “Planetary Emergency Resolution” to save this planet earth."
As Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Chair, he said, they have created a CVF/V20 Joint Multi-Donor Fund to scale up climate actions of the member countries.
"We invite the developed economies to participate in this multi-donor fund. Global financing mechanism to address the challenges of climate change is severely under resourced. We are nowhere near the Paris Agreement’s annual target of the 100 billion dollars. The complicated architecture of international climate finance is also a barrier," Dr Momen said.
He emphasized that ‘loss and damage’ provision should be mainstreamed as extreme weather events have already displaced many more people than violent conflicts.
Likewise, relocation and protection of displaced persons due to global warming and river erosion need due focus in global discourses to ensure their protection and rehabilitation, Dr Momen added.
He said major economies, multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international financial institutions (IFIs) should come forward for climate financing, and to ensure transparency and flexibility of finance.
Also read:Extreme poverty to fall to 3% by 2030: FM
"Such funding must be balanced towards a 50:50 division between adaptation and mitigation. The Green Climate Fund can play an important role here," Dr Momen said.
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.