United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh will roll out the red carpet on Saturday to welcome Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay who will arrive on a two-day state visit aimed at elevating bilateral relations through enhanced connectivity, trade, and investment. “We are hopeful that this state visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan, one of Bangladesh's closest neighbours, will make an important contribution to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries and the sub-regional context,” Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. Director General (Public Diplomacy) S.M. Mahbubul Alam and Director General (South Asia) Ishrat Jahan, among others, were present at the media briefing. During the visit, the Bhutanese Prime Minister will attend a series of engagements, including talks with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. He is visiting at the invitation of the Chief Adviser. The Foreign Secretary said the Bhutanese leader will be accompanied by a 13-member high-level delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, as well as senior government officials. On Saturday morning, the Chief Adviser will formally welcome the Bhutanese Prime Minister at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. After receiving a guard of honor at the airport, the Bhutanese Prime Minister will pay homage to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Great Liberation War at the Savar National Mausoleum. In the afternoon, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will pay a courtesy call on him. Later the same day, the Prime Minister will hold a private meeting with Prof Yunus, followed by a delegation-level bilateral meeting between the two countries. The meeting will discuss various areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and investment, communication, education, agriculture, health, energy and power, telecommunications, tourism, culture, youth and sports, and industry. Following the talks, three MoUs are likely to be signed with Bhutan on international internet bandwidth, recruitment of specialist doctors and health workers in Bhutan, and agricultural cooperation. Foreign Secretary Siam said these matters are still under discussion. The Bhutanese Prime Minister will also attend a state dinner to be hosted in his honor. On Sunday, he will pay a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. Besides, several Advisers to the Bangladesh government are expected to meet him, and a Bangladeshi business delegation may also pay a courtesy call. On Monday morning, the Bhutanese Prime Minister will depart Dhaka for Thimphu, with the Foreign Adviser seeing him off. The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh will have the opportunity to present specific proposals for bilateral cooperation during the delegation-level meeting. Bangladesh may offer Bhutan several cooperation initiatives in the fields of health, education, trade, economic development, agriculture, tourism, and sports. Dhaka may also seek Bhutan’s cooperation in recruiting Bangladeshi professionals in various sectors, including trade expansion and water management. Regional and multilateral issues are also expected to be discussed. The Bhutanese Prime Minister will interact with the Bhutanese community residing in Bangladesh. The Bhutanese Foreign Ministry said the visit is expected to further consolidate the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and create new avenues for partnership and collaboration for mutual benefit. Bhutan is keen to share its hydroelectric potential with Bangladesh and is ready to welcome investments from Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies. The country has also sought Bangladesh’s support in establishing fiber-optic connectivity in Bhutan. Foreign Secretary Siam noted that Bangladesh and Bhutan have historically enjoyed friendly relations, which have deepened through continuous high-level exchanges. Bangladesh’s first preferential trade agreement was signed with Bhutan in 2020. Bhutan proposes signing FTA with Bangladesh He said cooperation between the two countries is gradually expanding on the basis of mutual respect, goodwill, and sincerity, with the aim of ensuring the continued prosperity of both peoples. The upcoming visit will focus on further broadening and deepening this relationship. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September this year, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus invited Prime Minister Tobgay to visit Bangladesh, an invitation the Bhutanese leader warmly accepted. Prime Minister Tobgay regards Prof Yunus as his “role model,” affectionately referring to him as “My Professor.” During their meeting in New York, the Bhutanese Prime Minister expressed strong interest in signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh and in linking the two countries’ economic zones to boost trade and investment. He said both countries could benefit significantly if Bhutan’s Special Economic Zone, the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), is connected to the Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, which Bangladesh has officially allocated for Bhutanese investors. Prof Yunus welcomed these proposals, emphasizing the importance of expanding trade and investment opportunities. “Bangladesh and Bhutan can take their bilateral relations to a new level through improved connectivity, trade, and investment,” he said.  

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey begins her first official visit to Bangladesh on Thursday to discuss the areas of mutual interest, including deepening ongoing engagement to support continued national progress for the people’s aspirations for "peace and stability, democracy and good governance, and prosperity" in Bangladesh. She will engage with a range of stakeholders at a pivotal moment in the country’s national journey. Her visit, from November 20-24, comes ahead of the Bangladeshi general election expected to be held in February 2026. In Dhaka, the Secretary-General is scheduled to meet key figures in the interim Government, including Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, political party leaders, the Chief Election Commissioner, high commissioners and other representatives, according to the Commonwealth Secretariat. During the engagements, the Secretary-General will also brief stakeholders on the Commonwealth’s new Strategic Plan – which places democracy among its three core pillars – and listen to how tailored support can best assist the people of Bangladesh. Speaking ahead of her visit, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey described Bangladesh as a valued member of the Commonwealth, noting that it was the first intergovernmental organisation the country joined soon after independence. "The Commonwealth and Bangladesh have a strong partnership, one that matters even more now as the country heads towards the polls next year," she said. In keeping with the values of the Commonwealth Charter, she will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to understand the context first-hand and explore where they can offer informed support in the spirit of partnership and mutual respect. “Our shared commitment with Bangladesh remains supporting a peaceful, inclusive and participatory environment, where rights and fundamental freedoms of every citizen are respected," she said. “That is what the people of Bangladesh rightly expect from us. They can continue to count on the Commonwealth as a trusted partner in their efforts to build a just, inclusive and prosperous future for all.” The Secretary-General added that she wishes the people of Bangladesh well as they prepare to exercise their right to vote and reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s full support for them on their democratic journey. The Secretary-General’s visit builds on the recent mission by a Commonwealth pre-election assessment team, which visited last month and met with stakeholders across the political spectrum to assess the overall pre-poll environment.

Bangladesh, India and other Member States will sit together in New Delhi on Thursday to promote closer cooperation on vital matters of security and to strengthen partnership for enhancing regional security in the Indian Ocean region. India is hosting the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). Indian NSA Ajit Doval will host his counterparts from Member States including Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.  Seychelles is participating as an Observer State, and Malaysia has been invited as a Guest. In keeping with this vision and objective, the 7th meeting of the NSAs will be an opportunity for the participants to review the activities under the different pillars of cooperation, namely- maritime safety and security; countering terrorism and radicalization; combating transnational organized crime; cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and discuss the roadmap and action plan for 2026, said the host country- India.  Earlier, National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday met his Indian counterpart Doval in New Delhi. “They discussed work of the CSC (Colombo Security Conclave) and key bilateral issues,” said an official at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Dr Rahman invited Doval to visit Bangladesh at his convenience. Bangladesh delegation to the seventh NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), led by Dr Rahman, met with the NSA of India and his team, said the High Commission. Dr Rahman reached New Delhi on Tuesday night at the invitation of National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval to attend this regional forum, the official told UNB. “I don’t want to interfere with the agenda that he (Dr. Rahman) has,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said when asked whether his colleague would raise the extradition issue with India amid Dhaka’s renewed call for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. Adviser Hossain, however, said if feels necessary he (Dr Rahman) can certainly raise the issue but they will go by through their official channel. Bangladesh on Monday urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities. The 6th meeting of the NSAs of CSC was held in December 2023 in Mauritius, and Member States met again during the Signing Ceremony for the Founding Documents of CSC in Sri Lanka in August 2024.  The Deputy National Security Advisers (DNSAs) of CSC countries have also been meeting at regular intervals.  The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States. NSA Dr Rahman’s participation at the Colombo Security Conclave in New Delhi is in continuation of the interim government's efforts to foster mutually beneficial regional cooperation, Bangladesh said. The interim government emphasises regional cooperation as a priority and has actively participated in meetings of various regional bodies. In April this year, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus was elected Chair of BIMSTEC. He has been working hard to reactivate SAARC, said the press wing. NSA Dr Rahman earlier led a Bangladesh delegation to the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum in Kunming, China. Bangladesh was officially welcomed in 2024 as the fifth Member State of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a grouping that includes India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Maldives. Seychelles participates with observer status.

The European Union (EU) has welcomed  the revision of the Bangladesh Labour Act by the interim government, saying this is a crucial step toward stronger labour rights and part and parcel of Bangladesh’s long-term preferential access to the EU market. "As the country prepares for elections in early 2026, the EU underlines the importance of implementation and of policy consistency," said the EU Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday. The EU said they look to whichever party or parties form the next administration to swiftly confirm the revision after election. The EU also welcomed Bangladesh’s ratification of ILO Conventions 155, 187 and 190, which address safety, health, and the elimination of violence and harassment at work. All of this builds positive momentum for the Bangladesh-EU relations. Meanwhile, the International Labour Organization warmly congratulated the interim government of Bangladesh on the publication of the Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 in the official gazette on November 17. This amendment reflects the government's strong commitment to strengthening labour rights and improving working conditions for all workers across the country,  ILO said. Govt clears Labour Law amendments to expand workers’ protections "We commend the inclusive and participatory approach taken throughout the amendment process," said the UN agency. The tripartite consultations held through various committees and the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) stand as a strong example of meaningful social dialogue. The amendments send a positive signal to both workers and employers helping to foster a fairer labour market, attract new investment, and expand Bangladesh’s access to global markets, ILO said. The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the tripartite constituents in ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of the law—promoting a level playing field and safeguarding workers’ rights.  

Bangladesh has emphasized justice, ambition, and urgent global solidarity in the face of escalating climate impacts at COP30 in Brazil’s Belém. Speaking at a moment when the world grapples with irreversible climate damage and a profound trust deficit in multilateralism, Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reminded delegates on Tuesday that for Bangladesh, climate change is not an abstract threat but a daily reality. Extreme temperatures, cyclones, floods, sea-level rise, and riverbank erosion continue to displace millions, undermine biodiversity, and push vulnerable communities to the brink. He added that Bangladesh confronts extreme climate events while simultaneously bearing the humanitarian burden of the Rohingya crisis—demonstrating how climate, conflict, and displacement multiply pressures on vulnerable nations. Despite contributing less than 0.5% of global emissions, Bangladesh has chosen leadership over despair. Shafiullah highlighted that the country is advancing NDC 3.0, aligned with the Global Stocktake outcome, targeting 25% of electricity generation from renewables by 2035—five times higher than the current level. He noted that Bangladesh is operationalizing its National Adaptation Plan and investing heavily in locally led adaptation. However, he cautioned that without predictable climate finance and accessible technology, climate-vulnerable countries cannot survive, as limited national budgets are diverted to disaster response at the expense of essential sectors like health and education. Calling for decisive global action, he urged four pathways: perceiving climate action through the lens of justice by translating the ICJ advisory opinion into measurable accountability; strengthening public finance and ensuring that adaptation finance reaches at least USD 120 billion annually; scaling up grant-based adaptation finance and swiftly operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund for vulnerable countries; and investing in Locally Led Adaptation and Nature-Based Solutions such as mangrove protection—including the Sundarbans—climate-resilient agriculture, and community-based flood-risk management. He warned that the politicization and commercialization of climate initiatives have only deepened delays and escalated the cost of inaction. COP30 will either become another missed opportunity accelerating climate collapse, or a turning point that redeems years of inertia, he said, adding that “let courage rise, let justice lead, and let collective action begin—to build a safer planet for future generations.”  

Amid Dhaka’s renewed call for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday met National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval in New Delhi. “They discussed work of the CSC (Colombo Security Conclave) and key bilateral issues,” said an official at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Dr Rahman invited Doval to visit Bangladesh at his convenience. Bangladesh delegation to the seventh NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), led by Dr Rahman, met with the NSA of India and his team, said the High Commission. Delhi highlights strategic importance of Pharma sector in economic partnership with Dhaka NSA Doval is hosting his counterparts from member states, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Seychelles is participating as an Observer State, while Malaysia has been invited as a guest. Dr Rahman reached New Delhi on Tuesday night at the invitation of National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval to attend this regional forum, the official told UNB. “I don’t want to interfere with the agenda that he (Dr. Rahman) has,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said when asked whether his colleague would raise the extradition issue with India. Adviser Hossain, however, said if feels necessary he (Dr Rahman) can certainly raise the issue but they will go by through their official channel. Bangladesh on Monday urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities. The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States. NSA Dr Rahman to attend Security Conclave in New Delhi There are five pillars of cooperation under the CSC namely maritime safety and security; countering terrorism and radicalisation; combating trafficking and transnational organised crime; cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure and technology; and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, an official told UNB. NSA Dr Rahman’s participation at the Colombo Security Conclave in New Delhi is in continuation of the interim government's efforts to foster mutually beneficial regional cooperation, said the interim government. The interim government emphasises regional cooperation as a priority and has actively participated in meetings of various regional bodies. In April this year, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus was elected Chair of BIMSTEC. He has been working hard to reactivate SAARC, said the press wing. NSA Dr Rahman earlier led a Bangladesh delegation to the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum in Kunming, China. Bangladesh was officially welcomed in 2024 as the fifth Member State of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a grouping that includes India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Maldives. Seychelles participates with observer status.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has underscored the strategic importance of the pharmaceutical sector in the economic partnership between Bangladesh and India. Speaking at a networking and knowledge-sharing event, he said India remains a trusted and reliable partner for Bangladesh—especially in API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) sourcing, process technologies, and pharmaceutical machinery. The High Commissioner emphasised that greater collaboration in this sector will not only boost industrial growth but also support affordable and accessible healthcare for millions across the region. High Commissioner Verma expressed confidence that “PharmaConnect” will help build new business linkages and enhance India–Bangladesh engagement in a future-oriented, innovation-driven framework. The High Commission of India in Dhaka hosted the “PharmaConnect”, a networking and knowledge-sharing event bringing together senior leaders from top Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies on Tuesday. The event preceded the upcoming participation of Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies at CPHI–PMEC India 2025, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical exhibitions. The programme featured remarks from leading industry figures, including the  President of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), Abdul Muktadir, who highlighted Bangladesh’s expanding global reach in pharmaceuticals and the potential for deeper cooperation with India in areas such as technology transfer, R&D tie-ups, and supply-chain integration. Representatives from the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical industry expressed strong confidence that such engagements will strengthen cross-border collaboration, facilitate technology access, improve supply-chain resilience, and open new avenues for trade and investment. The event was organised as part of the High Commission’s broader efforts to deepen bilateral economic engagement in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. Many Bangladeshi companies will be participating in CPHI–PMEC India 2025, scheduled from 25th to 27th November, which is recognised as one of the largest industry platforms connecting global manufacturers, innovators, investors, and policymakers. “PharmaConnect” highlighted the longstanding complementarities between India and Bangladesh in the pharmaceutical sector. The event showcased how India’s globally competitive pharmaceutical industry and Bangladesh’s fast-growing manufacturing capabilities can work together to strengthen supply chains, access new technologies, and deepen commercial linkages.  

State Secretary for Trade and Investment of the Danish Foreign Ministry Lina Gandløse Hansen has reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to supporting the interim government in its transition towards a “peaceful, democratic, and equitable” Bangladesh. She echoed that the Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) project is the beginning of a new phase in their relations and the cooperation will add values in great ways to the existing excellent relations between the two countries for the benefit of the two peoples. The Danish State Secretary paid a courtesy call on Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller accompanied her in the meeting. Earlier in the day, State Secretary Hansen met with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus following an inauguration ceremony pertaining to the Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) project. During the meeting, the Foreign Adviser highlighted the investment of $550 million by the Danish company APM Terminals in the Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) Project, which is going to be the largest single European investment in Bangladesh till date. He thanked the Danish sides for the deal. Acknowledging Denmark’s longstanding support to Bangladesh, Foreign Adviser also requested for Danish support to meet up Bangladesh’s challenges after graduation from LDC. The Foreign Advisor also touched upon capacity building and collaboration on bilateral trade, investment opportunities, energy efficiency and sustainable economic development, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. The Danish State Secretary also apprised the Adviser about the potential Danish investment in the proposed 500 MW Offshore Wind Power Project near Cox’s Bazar. Hansen also underscored about Denmark's development finance institution’s (IFU) reinvestment initiatives in Bangladesh. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the continued progress in bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening economic and development partnership.  

Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet has reiterated France’s view of Bangladesh as a peaceful and democratic country, and expressed his eagerness to explore more links in the development sector. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation, enhancing trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. The Foreign Adviser warmly congratulated the Ambassador on his assumption of duties and expressed confidence that Bangladesh-France relations will grow even stronger during his tenure. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral issues, including Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, trade and investment, defence collaboration, diaspora, migration issues and France’s support to meet up Bangladesh’s challenges after graduation from LDC. The Foreign Adviser acknowledged France’s longstanding development partnership and conveyed appreciation for French support to the Interim Government in Bangladesh’s democratic transition, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Adviser Hossain also encouraged the French Ambassador to broaden and deepen French ventures in trade and investment, development cooperation, skills development, climate change, energy cooperation etc. Later in the day, Ambassador Séré-Charlet also met Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and discussed bilateral, regional, and global matters of mutual interest. He ensured the new French Ambassador of full cooperation during his tenure in Bangladesh.  

Amid Dhaka’s renewed call for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Dr Khalilur Rahman will attend the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) which will be held in New Delhi on November 19-20. National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval extended the invitation to Dr Rahman to attend this regional forum, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. “I don’t want to interfere with the agenda that he (Dr. Rahman) has,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said when asked whether his colleague would raise the extradition issue with India. Adviser Hossain, however, said if feels necessary he (Dr Rahman) can certainly raise the issue but they will go by through their official channel. Bangladesh on Monday urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities. The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States. There are five pillars of cooperation under the CSC namely maritime safety and security; countering terrorism and radicalisation; combating trafficking and transnational organised crime; cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure and technology; and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, an official told UNB. NSA Dr Rahman to attend Colombo Security Conclave in New Delhi NSA Dr Rahman’s participation at the Colombo Security Conclave in New Delhi is in continuation of the interim government's efforts to foster mutually beneficial regional cooperation, said the interim government. The interim government emphasises regional cooperation as a priority and has actively participated in meetings of various regional bodies. In April this year, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus was elected Chair of BIMSTEC. He has been working hard to reactivate SAARC, said the press wing. NSA Dr Rahman earlier led a Bangladesh delegation to the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum in Kunming, China. Bangladesh was officially welcomed in 2024 as the fifth Member State of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a grouping that includes India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Maldives. Seychelles participates with observer status.