United News of Bangladesh

Diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Wednesday expressed solidarity with The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, highlighting the importance of freedom of press and freedom of speech as an important pillar of democracy. The Ambassadors and High Commissioners and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Dhaka joined a programme held in front of the Prothom Alo office at Karwan Bazar, marking the inauguration of an art exhibition titled ‘An Artwork on the Attacked and Burnt Prothom Alo Building’ by artist Mahbubur Rahman. Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet and Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro were, among others, present.    EU Ambassador Miller said he and many of his colleagues came to express solidarity in December last and they have come back as they believe in freedom of media and freedom of expression and they believe that journalists are fearless defenders of democracy.   Expressing solidarity with The daily Star and Prothom Alo, the Italian Ambassador said freedom of information is at the core of their values. The British High Commissioner said they joined the programme to demonstrate their support for media freedom as an important foundation pillar of democracy. She recalled the shocking events that happened in December and mentioned that as a member of the Media Freedom Coalition in Bangladesh, they strongly condemned the attacks carried out against journalists, editors, and media houses. "Such acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and strike at the heart of press freedom and the public's right to be informed," said the MFC in a statement on December 19. The MFC called for the safety of all media professionals to be ensured and for swift, impartial investigations so that those responsible are held to account. "Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear," it said. The MFC said protecting them is essential to upholding the rule of law, democratic values, and an open, informed society.  US Embassy Spokesperson Poornima Rai said the United States is fully committed to freedom of expression and freedom of speech and they stand behind The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman said journalists need to remain committed to standing beside one another, rejecting division. He affirmed that they will continue to pursue the truth, and that the growing spirit of unity within the journalistic community will endure. The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam urged the new government to conduct an unhindered investigation into the twin attacks to uncover those who orchestrated these attacks from behind the scenes, those who instigated and those who implemented the attacks. He appreciated his colleagues for the spirit they demonstrated in the post-attacks period, describing it as unbelievable. He finds this as a symbol of devotion to journalism and courage.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended congratulations to newly appointed Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his appointment. Wang Yi, who is also Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, expressed his intent to work with Foreign Minister Rahman to jointly implement the important understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries and advance the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights. Dr Jaishanker said he looks forward to working together with Foreign Minister Rahman to advance cooperation between Bangladesh and India for mutual progress and prosperity, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister served as Chief Adviser's High Representative for the Rohingya Issue and Priority Affairs and National Security Adviser during the interim government’s period. He joined BCS (Foreign Affairs) in 1979 after securing the first position in the first regular civil service examination after independence held in 1977. Khalilur Rahman served in various capacities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York. In 1991, he joined the United Nations secretariat as a Special Adviser and served in different senior UN positions during the next 25 years. PM Tarique Rahman to address nation this evening In November 2024, he was appointed as the High Representative with the status and privileges of an Adviser. Khalilur Rahman stood first class first in MA examinations in Economics at Dhaka University in 1977. During 1980-83, he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and earned the degrees of MA in Law and Diplomacy and PhD in Economics.

Japan has welcomed the 13th Parliamentary Election of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, held on February 12, as credible and largely peaceful. In a statement, Japanese Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro said that an election observer mission from Japan, headed by former Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Watanabe Masato, conducted on-site monitoring of the election. The mission consisted of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, as well as an external expert. “From Japan, an election observer mission headed by Mr. Watanabe Masato, former Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, consisting of officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh as well as an external expert, conducted monitoring activities on site,” the statement said. The statement added that, as far as Japan’s Election Observer Mission was able to inspect on site, the election process was conducted in accordance with established procedures. Japan welcomed the further promotion of Bangladesh’s efforts as a democratic nation and reaffirmed its commitment to continuing cooperation under the “Strategic Partnership” framework toward the development and prosperity of Bangladesh, as well as further development of bilateral relations.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman and discussed issues of mutual interest. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on Tuesday. The Indian FS conveyed greetings to Dr Rahman on his new role and reaffirmed India’s enduring support to Bangladesh, underscoring the people-centric nature of the ties, according to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Dr Shafiqur at the meeting highlighted the deep civilisational bonds shared by the two countries and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations. The Foreign Secretary of India accompanied Speaker Om Birla at the oath-taking ceremony.

Global leaders on Tuesday attended the oath-taking ceremony of the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, underscoring international interest in Bangladesh’s political transition. President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, Speaker of the Indian parliament, Om Birla, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiative of Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Nepalese Foreign Minister, Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lankan Minister for Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci ; and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) of UK Seema Malhotra represented their respective governments and countries in the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the visiting leaders paid separate courtesy calls on the new Prime Minister. The meetings were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the longstanding ties and close friendship between Bangladesh and those countries. During the meetings, the leaders congratulated the Bangladesh Prime Minister for the huge electoral victory of his party and the democratic transition of Bangladesh. During the discussions, Bangladesh Prime Minister and the visiting leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to further strengthening and advancing bilateral relations based on mutual respect, shared interests, and the collective well-being of their peoples, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discussed renewed bilateral engagement in trade and investment, connectivity, energy, education, healthcare, climate change, migration, people-to-people contacts, and regional collaboration. Visiting leaders from India, Nepal and Türkiye handed over congratulatory letters from their respective Heads of Government and invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit their countries at mutually convenient dates. Other leaders also extended similar invitations during the meetings. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to all visiting dignitaries for attending the swearing-in ceremony and for their continued support and goodwill towards Bangladesh and her people.

President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday met newly elected Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to work closely with Bangladesh to further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries. The meeting was held at The Jatiya Sangsad following the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister and the new government of Bangladesh. During the meeting, the President congratulated the Prime Minister and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on their victory in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12. Dhaka, Delhi can work for each other's security, prosperity: Modi tells Tarique The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the President for attending the oath-taking ceremony. The two leaders discussed a broad range of areas to enhance cooperation, including trade and investment, health cooperation, environmental collaboration, higher education and improved air connectivity. This visit marks President Dr Muizzu’s first official visit to Bangladesh, said the President’s office. Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the Maldives were established on September 22, 1978.

Inviting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his family to visit India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said Bangladesh and India can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security and enable mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies. “I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said in a letter that was handed over to Prime Minister Tarique on Tuesday. Tarique Rahman: From London exile to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accompanied the Speaker.

Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and said she looks forward to working with her Bangladesh counterpart to strengthen the “strategic partnership” between the two countries. In her letter to Prime Minister Tarique, Prime Minister Takaichi extended her congratulations on Prime Minister Rahman’s assumption in office as Prime Minister. She also welcomed the further promotion of democratic effort in Bangladesh and expressed that she looks forward to working with Prime Minister Rahman to further develop the bilateral relations based on the “strategic partnership” between the two countries. Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister BNP Chairman was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.

Congratulating Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang Li on Tuesday said he stands ready to work with the Prime Minister to carry forward the long-standing friendship, enhance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He laid emphasis on continued exchanges in all sectors, elevating the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new level, so as to bring more benefit to the two peoples. Li Qiang wrote in the message that China and Bangladesh are neighbors enjoying long-standing friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partners. “Friendly ties between the two countries go back a long way,” he said, adding that over the past 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Bangladesh and China have always respected and treated each other as equals, pursued mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win results, setting a fine example of exchanges between countries. He said the Chinese government supports the new Bangladeshi government in exercising smooth governance. BNP Chairman Tarique was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered him the oath at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban around 4:15pm. Earlier in the day, BNP Parliamentary Party at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban elected Tarique Rahman as leader of the party’s parliamentary party.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. During the meeting, Tobgay thanked the Chief Adviser for holding a free, fair, peaceful and credible election at a critical time, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Tobgay arrived in Dhaka earlier in the afternoon to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet led by Tarique Rahman. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.