United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu has shared some of the finest Bangladeshi mangoes with friends across Nepal under this year’s “Season’s Best Compliments” initiative as a diplomatic gesture of goodwill and friendship. More than 1,750 kilograms of premium-quality Bangladeshi mangoes were presented to Nepali dignitaries, senior government officials, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps in Kathmandu, business leaders, civil society representatives, and close friends and well-wishers of Bangladesh and its people. The Embassy team delivered mango packs to more than 360 esteemed recipients, including the President of Nepal, the Speaker, and members of the Council of Ministers, according to a media release issued on Friday. The mangoes, freshly harvested from two orchards in Chapai Nawabganj, also known as the mango capital of Bangladesh, were carefully transported to Nepal via Banglabandha Port, Fulbari Land Port (Siliguri border), and Kakarbhitta Port to ensure quality and freshness upon arrival. The consignment featured the celebrated Khirshapat variety, a GI-certified mango widely regarded as one of the most flavorful varieties in the Indian subcontinent. The initiative reflects the enduring friendship and close people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu. The gesture symbolises the warmth, goodwill, and spirit of diplomacy that continue to strengthen bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. The Embassy of Bangladesh expressed its sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to making this unique “Mango Diplomacy” initiative in Nepal a grand success.

The government will host a high-level conference titled “Roadmap for Trade, Growth & Economic Diplomacy 2026: Navigating Risks, Leveraging Resilience” in Dhaka on Saturday. To be organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel, the day-long conference will bring together senior government leaders, heads of diplomatic missions, development partners, and representatives from the private sector to chart a forward-looking agenda for Bangladesh’s economic engagement. The conference will feature three thematic sessions – “Policy Compass: Advancing Trade & Investment,” focusing on policy predictability, market access, and investor confidence; “Capital for Growth: Finance, Commerce and Trade,” addressing financing reforms and investment mobilisation; and “New Stage: Government Policy, AI, Creative Industries and Sport,” exploring emerging growth sectors and diversification opportunities. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman – president-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly – will inaugurate the conference. Participants will include heads of mission accredited to Dhaka, country directors of development partners, and senior representatives from the business community. The conference is going to be held at a critical juncture of global transitions, risks and uncertainties, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event aims to foster greater coordination between policy and implementation, enhance Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy, and build stronger partnerships with the international community.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol. In a Facebook post on Friday, it said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess. We extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Thailand during this time of mourning.” Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, a lawyer and the eldest of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s children, died on Thursday evening at 47, the Bureau of the Royal Household said. She died at a Bangkok hospital where she had been cared for since falling unconscious due to illness three years ago, according to the statement issued Friday. “This loss is not merely bad news announced to the people, but an immeasurable grief in the hearts of the entire nation,” Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a televised speech. He said the princess was “a pride of Thailand,” and that “her commitment to building a society of kindness, justice, and equality, will forever remain as a moral legacy for the nation, a guiding light for generations of Thais.”  

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Miami, US, participated in the 35th Annual Asian Culture Festival, held in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. The colourful cultural event celebrated the richness and diversity of Asian heritage and served as a platform to promote cultural diplomacy, mutual understanding and community engagement. The festival also featured a vibrant showcase of traditional and contemporary cultural expressions, including visual arts, performances, crafts, martial arts and a diverse selection of Asian cuisines. The Consulate General of Bangladesh had a booth in the two-day festival and showcased Bangladeshi traditional handicrafts, jute products, musical instruments, textiles, foods, mehedi arts, tourism sectors, etc. During the cultural segment, Bangladeshi folk and modern dances and a cultural walk with traditional attire were represented. Consul General Seheli Sabrin along with the consulate’s officials and family members joined the ceremonial flag procession marking “Friendship and Freedom 250.” She also attended the Miami-Dade 250 Fireside Chat series, hosted and moderated by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The discussion underscored Bangladesh’s relationship with the US and its evolution, cultural value and tradition of Bangladesh, the contributions of the Bangladeshi community and the role of young generations to engage in cultural awareness as well as to strengthen international collaboration. A video message by Consul General Seheli Sabrin congratulating the US on its 250th anniversary was also shown to the audience during the event.

Indian High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi arrived in Bangladesh on Friday through the Benapole-Petrapole land port, a move that symbolically underscores the “central importance” of border connectivity in Bangladesh-India bilateral relations. His entry through the land port also complements substantive policy initiatives, including the launch of India's new Land Port Management System by its home minister earlier this week, a diplomatic source told UNB. Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe received Dinesh Trivedi upon arrival in the morning. His wife Minal Trivedi accompanied the Indian envoy as they crossed over to Bangladesh. The new Indian envoy seeks to act to strengthen the relations between the two countries. "First of all, only one priority. That between the people of Bangladesh and people of India. We both are brothers and sisters. It's our dreams. And the dream is common. Same sky, same breeze, and same issues. So, we can't go wrong. All you need is love and affection. And all problems get sorted out," Dinesh Trivedi said while talking to reporters at the no man’s land at Benapole. Earlier on Thursday in Kolkata, he expressed optimism that both Bangladesh and India can emerge as the strongest democracy and one of the strongest world powers together, stressing that they will achieve the goal. On April 27 last, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the appointment of Dinesh Trivedi as the next high commissioner of India to Bangladesh. Dinesh Trivedi was a Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the UPA regime, as a member of the Trinamool Congress. He resigned from the TMC on February 12, 2021 and joined the BJP on March 6, 2021.

The 57th Director General-level Border Coordination Conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) concluded in New Delhi on Thursday, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace, stability and security along the Bangladesh-India border. The four-day conference was held at the BSF Headquarters in New Delhi on June 8-11. The Indian delegation was led by BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, while the Bangladesh delegation was headed by BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui. According to a joint press release, the conference was held in a cordial, positive and forward-looking atmosphere, reflecting the enduring cooperation and mutual trust between the border forces of the two countries. As the highest-level bilateral mechanism between BSF and BGB, the conference reviewed the prevailing border situation and discussed issues related to border security and management. During the discussions, both sides focused on measures to prevent trans-border crimes, including smuggling of narcotics, arms, counterfeit currency, gold and other contraband items, as well as illegal border crossings and human trafficking. The delegations also discussed border deaths, illegal, inadvertent and forcible crossings, construction of border infrastructure, implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), confidence-building measures and closer cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges along the border.  

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has described Bangladesh as the most effective and suitable destination for US investors. He made the remarks while addressing a round-table discussion organised by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) in Washington, DC, on Thursday as the chief guest. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit attended the programme as a special guest, according to the Press Wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington. The discussion provided an opportunity for US business leaders to engage directly with a senior member of the government of Bangladesh on the country's economic outlook, reform priorities, investment climate, and efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with the US, according to the BCIU. In his speech, Titumir said Bangladesh is now governed by a democratic administration, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He added that citizens have placed their trust in the BNP, continuing the legacy of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working responsibly to fulfil public trust. Bangladesh is now a very effective and suitable country for US investors,” the adviser said. State Minister Amit said Bangladesh has a large workforce and the government is taking initiatives to ensure energy security. He also said efforts are underway to import LPG from the US, adding that energy stability is being ensured for investors.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, along with the visiting Head of the Regional Economic Department for South Asia, Florent Mangin, on Thursday met with Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office. During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues, including the government's priorities and potential areas for cooperation between France and Bangladesh, according to the French Embassy in Dhaka. Florent Mangin is visiting Bangladesh to gain a better understanding of the new government's economic and development agenda, and to explore how French companies can contribute to the country's growth and development efforts. French companies are increasingly interested in working with Bangladesh in several sectors, including aerospace, energy, disaster management, and defense. The Ambassador reiterated France's continued support for Bangladesh's development and emphasized that France, as a trusted and attentive partner, remains committed to supporting the country's development journey.

Seeking joint efforts to intensify and diversify bilateral economic relations, the Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the German Federal Foreign Office, Frank Hartmann, has said Bangladesh should make the most of the remaining period before its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by undertaking the necessary reforms and preparations to adapt to the new economic realities it will face in the coming years. “Bangladesh will eventually graduate from the LDC category, and it is important to prepare for the period when some trade preferences will no longer be available,” he told UNB in an exclusive interview, encouraging the country to accelerate economic reforms and diversify exports. On Bangladesh’s planned graduation from the LDC category, Hartmann acknowledged the government’s request to defer the process and said Germany understood the external and domestic challenges behind the move. The official who left Dhaka on Thursday wrapping up his visit highlighted the need to reduce dependence on ready-made garment exports and expand into sectors such as machinery, chemicals, electronics, and other industries. Hartmann also pointed to the importance of preparing for the European Union’s GSP+ framework, which will govern future trade relations after LDC graduation. The senior German government official responsible for Asia affairs praised Bangladesh for what he described as a “very successful democratic transition” following the recent elections. “Through the elections, you set up a stable government with a strong reform project, and we would like to support all the efforts of your government for the necessary reforms,” he said. Commenting on Bangladesh’s political situation, the official described the country’s post-July transition as largely peaceful and democratic but acknowledged continuing political divisions. He emphasised the importance of holding individuals accountable for crimes committed during past political unrest while avoiding the exclusion of entire political groups from the democratic process. “You cannot exclude parts of the political spectrum if they accept the Constitution, democratic system, and the institutions. There is a need for reconciliation. The political process, in the end, must be an inclusive one in order to avoid further radicalization,” he said. “I think it would be recommendable to find a way. That needs time. That cannot be done overnight to reconcile with those forces,” he said, highlighting the importance of jointly developing a more stable democratic process. The German official also congratulated Bangladesh on the election of Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, noting that both countries strongly support multilateralism and international cooperation. Discussing investment prospects, the German diplomat said Bangladesh’s economic outlook remains positive, citing its steady growth and potential as an investment destination. “There is a vast chance for further German investment in Bangladesh,” he said, mentioning opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, chemicals, and technology sectors. He noted that greater awareness of Bangladesh’s economic achievements is needed across Europe and emphasised the importance of investment security, rule of law, transparent public procurement, and equal treatment of foreign investors. “The more investment security and rule of law we see, the better the chances that German companies will diversify their investment in Bangladesh,” Hartmann said. He also identified climate change, migration, energy security, and maritime security as key areas for deeper cooperation. Highlighting Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, Hartmann said renewable energy development offers a long-term solution to energy vulnerabilities. Germany, he added, is supporting energy transition projects through technology transfer and concessional financing. The German official praised Bangladesh for hosting more than 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar and called on the international community to maintain humanitarian assistance despite growing global crises. “The Rohingya issue is an international issue, and it should not be left only on the burden of Bangladesh itself. It’s a responsibility for the international community to maintain our support to Bangladesh,” Hartmann said. “We all have budget constraints, but it is also our responsibility as donors to maintain the Rohingya on the international agenda. And it should not be a forgotten issue. We should not forget our responsibility on the Rohingya issue because there will not be a short-term solution,” he said, noting that return can only happen under conditions of stability in a safe environment, which they do not have yet. “I think there cannot be additional resettlement programs for the Rohingyas. We know that other countries are facing the same problem. But in order to alleviate your responsibility and your undertaking in Bangladesh, I think we have to uphold our financial and humanitarian support to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh,” Hartmann said. While acknowledging donor fatigue and funding shortages, he said Germany would continue supporting humanitarian efforts and encourage other international partners to contribute. Regarding proposals for third-country resettlement of Rohingyas, the official indicated that large-scale relocation to Europe was unlikely, citing Germany’s existing commitments to refugees from Ukraine and Syria. Instead, he stressed the importance of sustained financial and humanitarian support for Bangladesh. On regional and global issues, the German official said Bangladesh and Germany share common interests in preserving a rules-based international order and strengthening multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf has described Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman's election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as a testament not only to his exemplary leadership and distinguished diplomatic service, but also to the increasingly important role of Bangladesh in promoting international cooperation and strengthening multilateralism. In a warm message of congratulations, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Ahmed Attaf conveyed his most sincere felicitations to Dr Khalilur on his election as the UNGA President. Expressing his confidence in Dr Khalilur’s vision and leadership, Minister Attaf assured him of Algeria’s full support and cooperation throughout his tenure and reaffirmed his country's readiness to work closely with him in upholding the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and advancing effective multilateralism for the benefit of all nations. “Algeria warmly welcomes this well-deserved success and looks forward to continued cooperation with Bangladesh in support of shared international aspirations and a stronger multilateral order,” said the Algerian Foreign Minister.