Foreign-Affairs
UAE leaders congratulate President, Prime Minister on Independence Day
Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in separate messages, congratulated the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence Day and National Day of Bangladesh.
The UAE is also celebrating Bangladesh’s Independence Day by illuminating the flag of Bangladesh on its iconic and landmark buildings, said the UAE Embassy in Dhaka.
US proud to partner with Bangladesh on many of today’s most pressing issues: Blinken
On the occasion of Independence Day, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has sent congratulatory messages to President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, has sent congratulatory messages to President Mohammed Shahabuddin and PM Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh, China enjoy solid, profound political trust and fruitful practical cooperation: Xi Jinping
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, has also sent separate congratulatory messages to President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In their messages, they extended best wishes for their counterpart’s sound health and wished continued peace, progress, prosperity and well-being for the friendly country and people of Bangladesh.
PM releases commemorative stamp on Independence Day
Bangladesh, China enjoy solid, profound political trust and fruitful practical cooperation: Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said Bangladesh and China enjoy "solid and profound" political trust, and "fruitful practical cooperation" in various fields, bringing tangible benefits to the two nations.
Xi Jinping noted that over the past 53 years, Bangladesh has steadfastly upheld its independence, strived to develop its economy and improve people's livelihood, and made remarkable achievements, laying a solid foundation for realising the dream of “Sonar Bangla”.
He sent a letter of congratulation to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on the occasion of Independence Day.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Bangladesh are traditional friendly neighbours, and the friendship between the two countries has grown from strength to strength.
He emphasised that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Bangladesh relations and stands ready to work with President Mohammed Shahabuddin to further advance high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation and deepen China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.
On the same day, Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent messages of congratulation separately to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud respectively.
US proud to partner with Bangladesh on many of today’s most pressing issues: Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence Day on March 26.
On behalf of the United States of America, Blinken extended warm wishes to all Bangladeshis on this special day.
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The US looks forward to enhancing the partnership and people-to-people ties between the two countries in the year ahead, Blinken said in a statement.
"The United States is proud to partner with Bangladesh on many of today’s most pressing issues, including combating climate change, advancing economic development, responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis, supporting peacekeeping operations worldwide, and addressing global health challenges," he said.
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Blinken said the partnership plays an important role in ensuring a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
"As Bangladesh celebrates another year of independence, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening democratic governance and protecting human rights – efforts which will increase Bangladesh’s prosperity," he said.
Bangladesh ‘quickly becoming a regional leader’: Blinken
Bangladesh envoy calls for motion in Britain's parliament recognising 1971 genocide
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has called for a fresh motion at the British Parliament recognising the 1971 genocide, recalling the early day motion adopted at the British Parliament in June 1971 that ‘stopping the genocide in East Bengal and recognising Bangladesh’.
At a high-profile commemorative event at the British Parliament on Bangladesh Genocide Day 2024 hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission, London, the High Commissioner said, “There is strong documentary and eyewitness evidence that genocide was committed on Bangladesh soil in 1971, yet the world has failed to recognise it”.
Senior British parliamentarians, eminent academics, legal experts, freedom fighters, and community leaders participated in the commemorative events titled ‘Remembering the Bangladesh Genocide 1971: The Road to International Recognition”.
The High Commissioner cited several international media reports on the Bengali Genocide, including Anthony Mascarenhas's lead article in the Sunday Times headlined "Genocide" and similar reports on mass atrocities by The Telegraph and BBC that shocked the world and prompted global leaders to act.
The envoy said, “Sir Peter Shore, MP, who was chair of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Committee in 1971, moved a motion in the UK parliament condemning atrocities committed in erstwhile East Pakistan, followed by another motion, moved by Action Bangladesh and supported by over 233 cross-party members, calling for the end of genocide in East Bengal and the recognition of Bangladesh”.
Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for declaring 25 March as Bangladesh Genocide Day, the High Commissioner said: "Bangladesh High Commission, London has organised many events including one with the University College, London for creating global awareness about the 1971 Bengali genocide and getting international recognition of it.”
The High Commissioner commended the US Congress resolution led by Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Steve Chabot, which needs to be emulated in the British parliament.
She called upon British-Bangladeshi politicians, academia, professionals, and community leaders to create greater awareness of the Bangladesh genocide amongst British political, humanitarian, and think-tank circles.
Speaking on the occasion, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh and Vice Chair of the APPG on Bangladesh Tom Hunt MP said, “The atrocities that occurred in Bangladesh in 1971 during the War of Liberation was an unforgettable event”. He assured that he would be working with the Bangladesh High Commission, London, and the diaspora towards creating awareness about the 1971 genocide and introducing a new motion in the UK Parliament to recognise it.
Lord Rami Ranger, Patron of Conservative Friends of India, and the cohost of the event expressed his support for getting its international recognition.
Chairman of the British Asian Conservative Link Lord Suri urged the UK policymakers to bring a fresh motion in the parliament in favour of international recognition of the genocide in Bangladesh during the 9-month War of Liberation in 1971.
Professor of International Law and Human Rights of the University of Birmingham Professor Mohammad Shahabuddin said that the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh by the Pakistan army fulfilled all criteria to be recognised by the UN.
Val Harding, a Swadhinata Trust, UK trustee who served as a nurse in a refugee camp in Calcutta during the 1971 War of Liberation, recalled seeing thousands of traumatised and distressed people who sought refuge in India after fleeing atrocities committed by the Pakistani invading army and their local collaborators.
Professor Nazia M Habib of Cambridge University, daughter of a freedom fighter, remembered how her father witnessed the intellectual killing at Dhaka University in 1971 and demanded justice for the victims.
Her suggestion was to make systematic efforts, collect more evidence, and collaborate with diplomats and lawyers to obtain UN recognition for the Bengali genocide.
Organiser of Bangladesh Liberation War Overseas Freedom Movement in the UK Sultan Mahmud Sharif, Freedom Fighter and Study Circle Chair Syed Mozammel Ali, Patron of Oxfam UK Azizur Rahman, President of Sammmilito Sangskrtik Jote UK Golam Mostafa and Director of the Swadhinata Trust Ansar Ahmad Ullah also spoke on the occasion. One minute of silence was observed to commemorate the “Black Night” of 25th March, 1971.
Bhutan's royal couple pay their respects to Bangabandhu at Dhanmandi-32
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Monday visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32.
He paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait.
The King and Queen Jetsun Pema visited different parts of the museum guided by Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Rehana, and PM Hasina’s daughter, WHO regional director Saima Wazed.
Bhutanese King's visit a testament of close ties of friendship and goodwill between Bangladesh, Bhutan: Joint Statement
The King also signed the museum's visitors’ book.
Dhaka, Thimphu sign 3 MoUs; agree to enhance ties in trade, connectivity, power
"This morning, my aunt and I showed Their Majesties, The Druk Gyalpo and Gyaltsuen, The King and Queen of Bhutan, our family home in Dhanmondi (now the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum)," Saima Wazed said in a social media post.
Dhaka, Thimphu agree to enhance cooperation in trade, connectivity, electricity
Bhutanese King's visit a testament of close ties of friendship and goodwill between Bangladesh, Bhutan: Joint Statement
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will attend the celebration of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh on March 26 as the special guest.
He will pay tribute to the memory of the sacrifices of the heroic freedom fighters of Bangladesh at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, which will include the laying of a wreath, signing the visitors’ book and planting of a sapling.
Queen of Bhutan Jetsun Pema Wangchuck will also attend accompanying the King.
The King of Bhutan is paying a state visit to Bangladesh from March 25 to 28 at the invitation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
The visit of the King to Bangladesh is a testament of the close ties of friendship and goodwill that so happily exist between the two countries, said a joint statement issued on Monday.
The state visit of the King and Queen to Bangladesh has further strengthened the traditional ties of friendship, cooperation and goodwill between the two countries, it said.
The King and Queen will meet with the President of Bangladesh. The President will host a banquet on Tuesday in honour of the King.
The King and Queen met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
The following Memoranda of Understanding (MoMs) were signed during the visit- MoU between Bangladesh and Bhutan for Cooperation on establishment of a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu and Health Cooperation; MoU between Bangladesh and Bhutan for Cooperation on establishing Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Bangladesh by Bhutan and MoU between Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection of Bangladesh and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority of Bhutan.
The agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan onocultural cooperation was renewed.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that annual intake of Bhutanese students for admission in MBBS in public medical colleges of Bangladesh has been increasing gradually.
To further consolidate the existing momentum of cooperation, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual MBBS seats for Bhutanese students from 22 (twenty-two) to 30 (thirty).
During the official meeting, the two sides expressed happiness on the current state of relation between Bangladesh and Bhutan, which is a very special one based on common history, geographical proximity, and the shared aspiration of the people for prosperity and development.
King Jigme expressed his deep appreciation for the cordial welcome and warm hospitality extended to Him and the members of His delegation during their stay in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh recalled with gratitude the invaluable support of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Third King of Bhutan and the people of Bhutan during Bangladesh’s War of Independence.
Prime Minister fondly recalled Bhutan being the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country on 6th December 1971.
Both sides expressed happiness that Bangladesh and Bhutan signed the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and its Protocol in March 2023 which will usher in new horizons for bilateral trade and connectivity.
The Agreement and its Protocol will not only be phenomenal for bilateral trade but also will work as a platform for paving the way for an interconnected South Asia, said the joint statement.
Both sides noted that regional and sub-regional connectivity are important means of economic integration and enhancing trade and commerce.
They noted with satisfaction that the collaborative efforts between the two sides in connectivity through roads, rail, and waterways will strengthen bilateral ties as well as foster regional integration and economic growth in South Asia.
A New Horizon
Bhutan conveyed its appreciation to Bangladesh for offering the ‘Special Economic Zone’ in ‘Kurigram’ in the northern part of Bangladesh, which is 190 kms from the southern city of Gelephu, Bhutan.
The economic zone will add a new horizon in the area of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and also for achieving greater prosperity in the South Asia region.
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening subregional cooperation in the energy sector among Bhutan, Bangladesh and India.
Both sides acknowledged that regional cooperation is very important for shared peace and prosperity in the region.
The King will visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn & Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on March 26 and interact with the officials, doctors and students there.
Bangladesh is going to establish a burn and plastic surgery unit in Thimphu which will be another milestone in the bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Bhutan in the health sector.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that there has been exemplary people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and Bhutan for decades.
They reiterated to further strengthen the peopleto-people contact between Bangladesh and Bhutan by connecting the Himalayas in Bhutan with the longest sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
The King Jigme will visit the Padma Bridge, a monumental infrastructural feat constructed entirely through the self-financing efforts of the Bangladesh government.
This remarkable infrastructure project stands as a testament to Bangladesh's commitment to advancing connectivity and fostering economic growth.
King Jigme will also visit a Special Economic Zone in Araihazar to witness firsthand the infrastructure and facilities there.
While in Dhaka, the King will also meet and interact with the Bangladesh business leaders and potential investors to explore new avenues for economic and commercial ties between the two countries.
The King of Bhutan extended invitations to the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan.
India to help Bangladesh in importing hydropower from Bhutan: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday said India will help Bangladesh to import hydropower from Bhutan the way India helped in importing hydropower from Nepal.
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after his meeting with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India.
The two sides are in discussion to that end but there is no plan to sign any agreement during the ongoing state visit of the Bhutanese King.
At the meeting with the Bhutanese King, Minister Hasan laid emphasis on people to people contact.
The Foreign Minister requested the Bhutanese King to join BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative and enhance air connectivity.
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Currently, there are only two flights on Dhaka-Thimphu route which needs to be increased, he said.
"Bhutan is a very beautiful country. Those who visited Bhutan, want to go again and again," he said, adding that they also discussed ways to allow people visit Bhutan by road.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the current excellent level of cooperation between the two countries.
They agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture,education, culture, people to people contact etc.
Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for Bhutanese investors.
Bangladesh will construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country’s capacity.
Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.
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Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973.
Dhaka, Thimphu sign 3 MoUs; agree to enhance ties in trade, connectivity, power
Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday signed three new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The two friendly South Asian countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture, education, culture, people to people contact etc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MoUs are: Establishment of a Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Setting up a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, and technical cooperation on consumer rights. Another MoU on cultural exchange was renewed.
Health Minister Smanta Lal Sen, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Shaikh Yusuf Harun, Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection Director General (Additional Secretary) A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman and Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed signed the MoUs from Bangladesh side.
Bhutanese Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, Bhutanese Commerce Secretary Tashi Wangmk and Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden signed the MoUs on behalf of their country.
The Bhutanese King and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the MoUs signing held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Dhaka, Thimphu sign 3 MoUs; agree to enhance ties in trade, connectivity, power
Besides, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual medical seats for Bhutanese students from 22 to 30 while the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh offered two seats for the Bhutanese Foreign Service officers every year for capacity building. Bangladesh will also extend necessary assistance in setting up a Diplomatic Training Institute in Bhutan.
Apart from this, Bangladesh offered special training to Bhutanese officials in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) annually for three years.
As a special gesture of goodwill and friendship, Bangladesh handed over computers and laptops for the capacity building and skills development of the government officials of Bhutan.
S Korea highlights importance of Economic Partnership Agreement with Bangladesh
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Park Young-sik has laid emphasis on expediting discussion with Bangladesh to have an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), noting that Bangladesh does not have much time before its graduation from the LDC club.
“The impending graduation of Bangladesh from the status of a Least Developed Country (LDC) in 2026 and the subsequent loss of Generalized System of Preference (GSP) benefits pose a challenge to Korea-Bangladesh trade system,” he told diplomatic correspondents at his residence on Sunday evening.
He said some parts of the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) is linked to the GSP and if Bangladesh graduates from the LDC status, some products that enjoy no tariff benefits under the APTA will become tariff paying products.
Therefore, the Korean envoy said, simply extending GSP benefits cannot solve all the problems and both sides need to address these problems through EPA.
Bangladesh, Bhutan sign three new MoUs
The Ambassador said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has various names like EPA or Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). “In my view, these types of FTA are the same.”
Starting FTA in Korea requires domestic procedures including approval from the national parliament, he said, adding that they hope that bilateral EPA with Bangladesh will start in the near future.
The EPA between Bangladesh and South Korea has been in discussion since early 2023 but no real progress has been made, said Ambassador Park.
Bangladesh has finished joint study with Japan and come close to finishing it with China and is discussing it with India, he said.
Earlier the Ambassador hosted an iftar-cum-dinner in honour of the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).
Dhaka, Thimphu agree to enhance cooperation in trade, connectivity, electricity
DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib sought support from the embassy to help diplomatic correspondents stay informed about South Korea's role in the international arena such as inter-Korean relations, regional security, economic diplomacy, soft power and culture, global health and technology, and multilateral engagements.
Korea recognized Bangladesh as an independent state on May 12, 1972. Both nations established diplomatic relations on December 18, 1973. The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relations.
Bangladesh, Bhutan sign three new MoUs
Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday (March 25, 2024) signed three new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The MoUs are: Establishment of a Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Setting up a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, and technical cooperation on consumer rights.
Another MoU on cultural exchange was renewed.
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Health Minister Smanta Lal Sen, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Shaikh Yusuf Harun, Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection Director General (Additional Secretary) A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman and Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed signed the MoUs from Bangladesh side.
Bhutanese Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, Bhutanese Commerce Secretary Tashi Wangmk and Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden signed the MoUs on behalf of their country.
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the MoU signing agreement held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Besides, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual medical seats for Bhutanese students from 22 to 30 while the foreign service academy of Bangladesh offered two seats for the Bhutanese foreign service officers every year for capacity building. Bangladesh will also extend necessary assistance in setting up a Diplomatic Training Institute in Bhutan.
Apart from this, Bangladesh offered special training to Bhutanese officials in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) annually for three years.
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As a special gesture of goodwill and friendship, Bangladesh handed over computers and laptops for the capacity building and skills development of the government officials of Bhutan.
Earlier, on his arrival, the Bhutanese King was received by the Prime Minister at her office.
The Bhutanese King held a delegation-level meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prior to the MoU signing ceremony.
They will also had a one-to-one meeting.
S Korea highlights importance of Economic Partnership Agreement with Bangladesh