Foreign-Affairs
Padma Bridge demonstrates what Bangladesh can do on its own: Naoki
Appreciating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “far-sighted vision and political astuteness” Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said the completion of Padma Bridge demonstrates what Bangladesh can do for its economic development and stability.
“Padma Bridge has been done on its own initiative and on its own funding. This is the bridge of national dream and pride. This bridge will truly fulfill the growth potential of Bangladesh,” he told a small group of journalists at his residence on Tuesday.
The Japanese envoy said the year 2022 will be remembered by the world with so many examples of quality infrastructure including Padma Bridge inauguration on June 25 and partial inauguration of metro rail later this year.
He said Japan will continue to cooperate with Bangladesh for its development and will stand by this country in its development journey until the day Bangladesh fulfills vision 2041 and realizes the vision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build Sonar Bangla.
Responding to a question, ambassador Naoki said their focus remains on a number of mega projects in Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar in line with the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative for the construction of an industrial corridor.
But, he added, for the sake of this industrial corridor’s (Dhaka, Ctg, Cox’s Bazar) better use, there should be better nationwide connectivity to see inclusive development.
Naoki said the overall connectivity will be enhanced by the Padma Bridge and it will really vitalize the economy in Southern part of Bangladesh making rural economy vibrant.
With this significant development, he said, the Padma Bridge will have an enormous economic impact. “Though Dhaka and Chattogram remain the main stage of the economy, rural economic development is important.”
The envoy said he is quite sure that there will be opportunities for the Japanese private sector to look into business and investment opportunities even outside the BIG-B areas once this Padma Bridge becomes operational with enhanced connectivity in place.
Recalling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan in 1996, Naoki said she made a request with the Japanese side for cooperation on two bridges – Padma Bridge and Rupsha Bridge.
READ: Russia: Padma Bridge a true game changer
Yashwant Sinha is Indian opposition's presidential pick
India's opposition parties on Tuesday named Yashwant Sinha, a former Finance Minister, as their joint candidate for the presidential polls slated for next month.
"In the forthcoming Presidential elections, we have decided to elect a common candidate and stop the Modi government from doing further damage," the opposition parties said in a statement.
"At a subsequent meeting held today, we have chosen Yashwant Sinha as a common candidate. We appeal to all political parties to vote for Yashwant Sinha," it added.
READ: Indian High Commission celebrates 8th International Day of Yoga
A former leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sinha served as the Finance Minister in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government.
Following apparent disagreements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's current dispensation, Sinha quit the BJP and joined Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party recently.
The BJP, on the other hand, is yet to announce its candidate for the presidential polls. Incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind's five-year term ends on July 24.
Indian High Commission celebrates 8th International Day of Yoga
The High Commission of India in Dhaka celebrated the 8th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Tuesday.
Around 1000 people participated in doing Yoga together at the Shaheed Suhrawardy National Stadium in Dhaka, said a press release.
Also read:Doraiswami hopeful of commercial screening of Indian films in Bangladesh
PM Hasina likely to visit India in Sept before UNGA
Bangladesh and India are in discussion to finalise a date in early September for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi, says Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
While talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday evening, Momen said the Bangladesh side conveyed that September first week and or a date in the first 10 days of September would be convenient.
The foreign minister, however, said the date will be finalised soon through discussion so that the visit can take place before the beginning of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are likely to have the bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 6, says a diplomatic source.
The 77th session of the UNGA will open on Tuesday, 13 September 2022.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The two countries witnessed momentum in their relations last year with a series of engagements including high-level visits.
Also Read: All citizens aged 18-50 can join universal pension scheme: Cabinet clears a draft law
At the invitation of President Abdul Hamid, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind paid a State visit to Bangladesh from December 15 to 17 last year to attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations here as the guest of honour.
It was the Indian President’s maiden visit to Bangladesh and also his first visit overseas since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier, Modi paid a landmark visit to Bangladesh on March 26 and 27 last year and those visits were of “historical significance” given the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of the two countries during Bangladesh’s struggle for Liberation in 1971.
At the seventh round of the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting held in New Delhi on Sunday, Bangladesh and India agreed to work closely together to further deepen and strengthen cooperation in the areas of common rivers and water resources management.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of IT and cyber security, renewable energy, agriculture and food security, sustainable trade, climate change and disaster management.
The JCC was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Both sides reiterated the importance of safe, speedy and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar, currently being sheltered by Bangladesh, according to the joint media release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
India lauds PM Hasina’s zero-tolerance against terrorism
Indian Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her zero-tolerance against terrorism that brought forth peace and security in the entire South Asian region, especially to the north-eastern states of India.
He also expressed his satisfaction for the excellent bilateral relationship which has been strengthened in recent years.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen met the Indian Vice President in New Delhi on Monday and discussed the issues of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Indian Vice President said the relationship between Bangladesh and India is based on mutual trust and Bangladesh occupies a special place in the foreign policy outlook of India, as both the countries are linked by shared history, culture, tradition, language and common values.
Foreign Minister Momen thanked the Vice President for giving his time for the meeting and noted that Bangladesh considers India as the closest neighbor and both the countries are working together closely for sectoral cooperation in the areas like common rivers and water resources management, IT and cyber security, renewable energy, agriculture and food security.
The Vice President also congratulated Bangladesh on the economic success the country achieved in the past decade under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and wished for working together for further prosperity in the days to come.
He particularly applauded the initiatives taken by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government to ensure women empowerment and participation in the economic activities.
Foreign Minister also met the Petroleum, Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
The two Ministers discussed the existing collaboration of both the countries in the areas of energy cooperation namely- nuclear energy, renewables like solar and wind, LNG, LPG, diesel etc.
They also discussed the global evolving situation with a particular focus on the energy demand and supply discourse.
Both the Ministers stressed on the need to ensure energy security and energy cooperation in the sub-region.
The Indian Petroleum Minister proposed to hold regular meetings and dialogues for further solidifying the existing collaboration and exploring new areas of cooperation in the energy sector.
Earlier on Sunday, Momen met the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles of India Piyush Goyal.
The Foreign Minister stated that under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh has achieved remarkable socio-economic progress during the last decade.
Padma Bridge an unforgettable moment for Bangladesh’s development: EU envoy
The inauguration of the Padma Bridge is going to be an “unforgettable moment” for the country's development, says Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley.
In a message on Monday, the EU envoy conveyed warmest congratulations to Bangladesh on the momentous occasion of the opening of the Padma Bridge on the 25th of June.
He said the Padma Bridge will add over 1.2 per cent to the GDP of the country.
Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties
“We look forward to using the bridge ourselves and to seeing what it does to facilitate people to people, family and commercial links. Congratulations, Bangladesh,” said ambassador Whiteley.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to formally inaugurate the Padma Bridge on June 25.
Padma Bridge an eye opener to foreign investors: Saudi envoy
The Padma Bridge will help open up the eyes of international investors including the Saudi companies to give a serious look at Bangladesh as an investment destination, the Saudi envoy in Dhaka said on Monday.
“I admire Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking the revolutionary step of self-financing to build the Padma Bridge,” Saudi ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan told reporters at the embassy.
He said Padma Bridge is one of Bangladesh’s most significant achievements that helped accomplish the people’s dream.
Read: Russia: Padma Bridge a true game changer
On behalf of the custodians of the two holy mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz and crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, the ambassador congratulated President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government as well as the people of Bangladesh ahead of the historic day of the formal inauguration of the mega project.
Responding to a question, ambassador Duhailan said the Saudi companies are increasingly looking at Bangladesh as an investment destination and hoped to see some visible steps soon to that end.
He said the Padma Bridge is a unique project nationally and internationally and it will help Bangladesh think beyond and build more infrastructures in the future. “It’ll put Bangladesh in a higher position.”
The ambassador appreciated Bangladesh’s political stability and overall security environment which he thinks very favorable to foreign investors.
Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties
The Saudi envoy said PM Hasina has proven repeatedly that she is the daughter of Bangabandhu whose visionary idea had boosted the country’s economy to new heights.
“Her capacity to make swift decisions in keeping the country’s economy on track is marvelous despite the fact that many big nations have struggled under similar circumstances,” said ambassador Duhailan.
He extended good wishes to the people of Bangladesh whose joint efforts are helping establish a stronger and progressive Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu to build Sonar Bangla.
PM Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the Padma Bridge on June 25.
Abdul Muhith made next Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to UN
The government has appointed Muhammad Abdul Muhith as the next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, New York.
He will be replacing Rabab Fatima in this capacity.
Muhammad Abdul Muhith, a career diplomat, belongs to the 11th batch of BCS (FA) cadre, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Read: Ambassador Fatima’s immense experience makes her a "powerful voice for vulnerable peoples"
Currently he is serving as the Bangladesh Ambassador to Austria and the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices and other International Organizations in Vienna, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Prior to that, he served as the Bangladesh Ambassador to Denmark and was concurrently accredited to Estonia and Iceland. In his distinguished diplomatic career, Muhith has served in Bangladesh Missions in Kuwait, Rome, Doha, Washington DC as well as in the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and in the Ministry in different capacities.
Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties
Muhith obtained BSS and MSS in Sociology from the University of Dhaka.
He also has a diploma in Arabic language from the University of Kuwait. He is married and blessed with two daughters.
Russia: Padma Bridge a true game changer
The Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Monday said Padma Bridge is a “true game changer” as it offers multiple opportunities in terms of regional trade, investments, connectivity, employment, tourism, and many other fields.
The Russian Federation thinks the construction of Padma Bridge is a “landmark achievement” made possible by the far-sighted vision of the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Without doubt, the Russian embassy said, it will largely contribute to the national GDP growth and benefit the comprehensive development of the southwestern parts of Bangladesh.
“The dream of Sonar Bangla cherished by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is coming true right before our eyes,” said the embassy in a media release as Bangladesh is set to see formal inauguration of the dream project.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Padma Bridge on June 25.
Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties
Undoubtedly, the Russian embassy said, the implementation of other mega projects including the construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant with the assistance of the Russian company Rosatom will further contribute to the successful development story of Bangladesh, to prosperity and well-being of its people.
The embassy of the Russian Federation congratulated the government and the people of Bangladesh on the upcoming inauguration of the multipurpose Padma Bridge.
“It is commendable that this ambitious mega-project has been completely funded by Dhaka’s own resources,” said the embassy.
Bangladeshi students to be allowed to return to China: Chinese envoy
Bangladeshi students who study in China can be allowed to return to China following the improving Covid situation there, said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said on Monday.
“China has started allowing foreign students to return to the country and Bangladesh is in the first lot,” said the ambassador in a video note posted on Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh’s Facebook page.
Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties
“The pandemic both in China and Bangladesh seems under control, which is good news to our two countries,” he said.
Shanghai, the worst-hit state of China in the latest wave of Covid-19, is gradually returning to normal with only two or three dozens of daily Covid cases, said Li Jiming.