Foreign-Affairs
First official visit post-election: PM to attend Munich Security Conference, says Foreign Minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to attend this year’s Munich Security Conference, the most high-profile annual dialogue on security issues, to be held in Germany next month.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud confirmed PM Hasina’s participation in the global conference while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
He said his ministry is working on the bilateral meetings to be held on the sidelines of the conference.
Read: UNDP administrator congratulates PM Hasina
The Prime Minister last attended the Security Conference in 2019.
Though the Prime Minister has received invitations from various countries and international organisations, her first official visit post-election may begin with Germany, a diplomatic source told UNB.
Apart from bilateral engagement with the German leaders, she will have meetings with global leaders on the sidelines.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 will take place from February 16 to 18, 2024, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich.
The MSC 2024 will once again offer a unique opportunity for high-level debates on the world’s most pressing security challenges, said the organisers.
Additionally, the MSC, founded in the fall of 1963, will celebrate its 60th anniversary up to and during the next main conference.
Read: Dhaka, London ties evolving from development-focused to modern partnership: Cameron
The Munich Security Report is published annually before the Security Conference.
The report contains exclusive data and graphics on current security policy issues, compiled in cooperation with renowned partner institutions of the MSC.
The Munich Security Report serves as a basis for discussion at the conference in Munich.
‘Lobbyist-backed’ statement on Dr Yunus won’t impact FDI, Hasan Mahmud says
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday (January 25, 2024) said any statement “backed by lobbyists” on Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus would have no adverse impact on foreign investment inflow into the country.
“Look, there are several lobbyist firms engaged behind some people who are talking on the Dr Yunus issue. Investment will not be impacted if a statement is backed by lobbyists,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister said Dr Yunus has been in the discussion over the last 12 years and Bangladesh still received significant foreign investment.
Read: China is an important dev and strategic partner of Bangladesh: PM Hasina
“Foreign investment is increasing. There is no relation with that. This is simply a legal matter,” said the Awami League joint general secretary.
He reiterated that Dr Yunus has been sentenced in a case filed by the aggrieved people, and the government is not a party to it.
“With due respect to Dr Yunus, I would like to say that aggrieved people filed the case. The government is not a party to it. It is a decision taken by the court. The government cannot interfere in it,” he said.
Earlier, a Dhaka court sentenced Dr Yunus and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months’ jail, with fine of Tk 25000 each, in a case over violation of labor law.
Read: Russian Ambassador hopes Dhaka-Moscow relations will continue to thrive
The others accused in the case are: Ashraful Hasan, CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust; trustee Nurjahan Begum; and managing director M Shahjahan.
They were accused of not making some workers and employees of Grameen Telecom permanent, not encashing public leave, and not depositing certain dividends to the Workers Welfare Foundation.
In the 84-page verdict, the judge said the charges of violating labor laws were proved against them.
The court, however, granted them conditional bail.
Dr Yunus claimed that he had been punished for a crime he did not commit. “I have been punished for a crime that I haven’t committed,” Yunus told reporters after he was convicted in a case over violation of labor law. “If you want to call it justice, you can.”
Read more: Dr Yunus appointed chair of Moscow Financial University’s international advisory board
Russian Ambassador hopes Dhaka-Moscow relations will continue to thrive
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy has expressed optimism that with the newly elected government the ties between Dhaka and Moscow will continue to thrive, bringing peace and prosperity to the peoples.
The Ambassador made the remarks in a message on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Russia.
‘Free and open Indo-Pacific’ promoted by US has destructive rather than unifying potential: Russian Ambassador
Despite the current turbulence in international affairs, he said, fruitful cooperation between Moscow and Dhaka has been developing across many sectors.
In 2023, Russia-Bangladesh relations saw a number of milestones, such as the first ever visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Bangladesh in September; the nuclear fuel delivery ceremony at the Rooppur NPP in October, with virtual presence of President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; a goodwill visit of the Russian Pacific Fleet to the port of Chattogram in November.
BGMEA president meets Russian ambassador
"Russia makes a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s food security, being one of the key suppliers of various agro-industrial products, primarily wheat and fertilizers," said the Russian Ambassador.
In 2023, Russia's grain export to Bangladesh amounted to 2.7 million tons, said Ambassador Mantytskiy.
Certain Bangladesh media coverage of Ukraine war biased against Moscow: Russian Ambassador
"Meaningful interaction between our countries predates the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in January 1972 as the USSR largely supported the Bengali people in the international arena during the ongoing War for Independence in 1971," he said.
Since then, the envoy said, over the span of more than 50 years, the bilateral history has seen many remarkable events and significant achievements, as well as glorious memories.
"The strong historic legacy and mutual affection between Russian and Bangladeshi people serve as a solid basis for new accomplishments and shared dreams," said the Russian Ambassador.
India to stand beside people of Bangladesh in realising their vision of a stable, progressive, prosperous Bangladesh: Pranay Verma
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Wednesday said that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow as the shared sacrifices of 1971 Liberation War remain a constant inspiration driving the relationship forward.
"Bangladesh has a great development story to tell the world," he said while speaking at a function marking the 75th Republic Day of India in Dhaka.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury spoke as the chief guest at the event joined by Cabinet members, political leaders, civil society members, business leaders, cultural personalities and senior journalists.
The High Commissioner said that as they celebrate the 75th Republic Day of India it is time for them to cherish their close friendship with Bangladesh and reaffirm their commitment that India will stand beside the people of Bangladesh in realising their vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous Bangladesh.
The envoy said these 75 years have been an extraordinary journey for India.
"In this journey, Bangladesh has been a close partner for us," he said.
A cultural function was also held where prominent singers performed.
UNDP administrator congratulates PM Hasina
The United Nations Development Programme’s Administrator Achim Steiner congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as Prime Minister.
"We admire Bangladesh's impressive development journey and your commitment to steering the nation towards a more prosperous future," he said in a congratulatory message to the premier.
He said that he is equally pleased to acknowledge Bangladesh's new role as chair of the UNDP's Executive Board.
"This significant responsibility is not only a recognition of your country's development achievements but also presents an invaluable opportunity for Bangladesh to shape the global sustainable development agenda," he said.
Leveraging its global networks and expertise, he said the UNDP reaffirms its commitment to support your government in achieving Bangladesh's aspirations for inclusive, sustainable and resilient development, including smooth graduation from the Least Developed Country status by 2026 and achievement of the vision for a Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
US nationwide survey to support global effort to reduce toxic lead exposure
Lead exposure may account for upwards of one fifth of the educational gap between rich and poor countries, and creates at least a $1 trillion drag on the global economy.
Despite all of this, funding by donors toward lead mitigation efforts in low- and middle-income countries amounts to approximately $15 million per year.
During the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced $1.1 million to survey blood lead levels in children under five years of age in Bangladesh through UNICEF’s 2024 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, said a media release issued by the US Embassy on Wednesday.
Administrator Power also called for more resources and action toward this widely neglected, yet highly tractable issue affecting one in two children in low- and middle-income countries.
“This initiative is an important step in measuring the extent to which lead exposure affects Bangladeshi children, and mobilizing action to protect kids and adults across the country from this toxic substance,” said USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman.
Globally, lead poisoning kills at least 1.6 million people each year – more than mortality caused by HIV and malaria combined, with the vast majority of these deaths in low- and middle- income countries.
Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe level of exposure, and lead poisoning can cause severe brain damage, impairing educational attainment and reducing future productivity.
Administrator Power advocated for a global drive to support low- and middle-income countries in rolling out and enforcing binding regulations to curtail lead in consumer goods like paint, spices, and cosmetics.
These actions alone have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives each year, as well as prevent cognitive impairments and improve educational outcomes for hundreds of millions of children.
Notably, burgeoning efforts toward removing lead from consumer products are highly cost-effective, reflecting an outsized opportunity to save many lives with limited funding.
In line with this goal, Administrator Power also announced that USAID will join the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, a partnership that has catalyzed legally binding controls on lead paint in almost 40 countries.
This makes USAID the first bilateral development agency to join the Alliance, where it will partner with other U.S. government agency members like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
USAID’s efforts reflect President Biden and Vice President Harris’s vision for a lead-free future, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s priority to protect all communities from lead exposure, both in the United States and around the world, said the Embassy.
Chinese Vice Minister Sun Haiyan will meet PM Hasina on Thursday
Visiting Chinese Communist Party's Vice Minister of the International Department Sun Haiyan will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:30am at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganabhaban.
A delegation will accompany the Chinese Vice Minister during the meeting.
Sun Haiyan arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night to have meetings with Bangladeshi leadership.
The Chinese Vice Minister, who visited the Maldives before her arrival in Dhaka, will have a number of meetings during her stay in Dhaka.
Confirming the visit, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday told reporters that it is normal to see such a visit as Bangladesh maintains friendship with all. "We have excellent relations with all."
This is the first visit by any senior Chinese politician after the formation of the new Cabinet led by Hasina.
On January 11, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the premier.
President Xi hoped that Bangladesh and China would make joint efforts to further implement the important consensus he reached with Hasina in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August. They had also agreed to enhance political mutual trust, promote traditional friendship, further synergise development strategies, and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation so as to uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height.
On the same day, Chinese Premier of State Council Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Sheikh Hasina on her reelection as premier, saying that China and Bangladesh are close neighbours with long-established friendship and development partners of close cooperation.
In recent years, Bangladesh and China have deepened mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in Belt and Road cooperation.
Dhaka, London ties evolving from development-focused to modern partnership: Cameron
British Foreign Minister David Cameron has said their bilateral relationship with Bangladesh is “evolving” from being development-focused to a modern economic, security and migration partnership.
“I hope that by working together we can boost our trade and investment ties, strengthen our security partnership and collaborate on global and regional challenges such as climate change, a free and open lndo-Pacific and the welfare of the Rohingya refugees,” he said.
In a congratulatory message to Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, the British Foreign Minister said he also attaches “great importance” to progressing cooperation on addressing illegal migration, including from Bangladesh.
“I look forward to hearing your priorities for our relationship and to working together to deliver our mutual interests,” said the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
The British Foreign Minister congratulated Hasan on his appointment as Foreign Minister of Bangladesh following the recent elections.
“I look forward to working with you, building on our deep shared history, people-to-people ties and wide-ranging shared interests and values,” he said.
The recent statement issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office reflected these values and set out their views on democracy and human rights, said the British Foreign Minister.
He said they will continue to engage constructively with Foreign Minister Hasan on these issues.
David Cameron extended good wishes for his Bangladesh counterpart as he starts his new role.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke handed over the letter to Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday.
Govt to do everything possible to implement verdict against Tarique: FM
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said the government would do everything possible at an appropriate time to implement the court verdict against convicted BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman now living in the UK.
“Our government wants to make sure that every convicted person’s verdict is implemented. The government will do everything possible at an appropriate time regarding Tarique Rahman’s issue,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: If US congressmen wrote any such letter, they’re telling govt to interfere with court: Hasan Mahmud
The foreign minister made the remarks when a reporter wanted to know about the efforts to bring back Tarique, acting chairman of BNP, for implementation of the court verdict.
He spoke with the reporters after a meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at his office where they discussed ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The government has been trying to bring back the BNP's convicted acting chairman Tarique to implement the court verdict, but it all depends on the UK government.
“He is there (UK). Whoever a criminal is, they should be brought back and their sentence should be carried out. We are making our efforts in this regard. But now it totally depends on the British government. Will they keep him there or allow the punishment to be executed? It totally depends on them,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told Voice of America Bangla service in an interview in Washington last year.
Read: PM Hasina seeks more Saudi investment in Bangladesh
There are a number of cases including money laundering, arms smuggling, corruption and also the 21 August grenade attack against him.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said he laid emphasis on making the process easier as many face problems in terms of family reunion.
He acknowledged that there are people who are living in the UK illegally.
BD, UK vow to deepen ties at FM Hasan’s meet with HC Cooke
Bangladesh and the United Kingdom on Wednesday discussed ways to deepen the ties between the two countries by working together on shared challenges.
“We have discussed ways on how we can further deepen the relations. We discussed in detail about multifaceted cooperation,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at his office at the ministry.
He said the UK is a big development partner of Bangladesh and they have a significant investment here.
Read: We’re dealing with Myanmar government on Rohingya repatriation: FM
The foreign minister said they specially discussed cooperation in the areas of ICT, cyber security, cooperation between the two central banks, climate change and Rohingya repatriation.
“On climate change front, we are working with the UK both locally and in the international forums,” he said.
The foreign minister said his British counterpart David Cameron sent a message congratulating him on his appointment as foreign minister of Bangladesh and expressed willingness to work together to strengthen the relations.
British High Sarah Cooke handed over the letter to foreign minister Hasan Mahmud during their meeting.
She also laid emphasis on working together to strengthen the ties between Bangladesh and the UK.
During her meeting with Mahmud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she also discussed how they can work together on challenges like climate change, migration and welfare of the Rohingyas.
The British envoy said they also discussed trade and investment issues and ways to strengthen the security partnership between the two countries.
She said they will continue to engage constructively with the government of Bangladesh and political parties on democracy and human rights issues.
Read: PM Hasina seeks more Saudi investment in Bangladesh
“Good meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. We discussed strengthening our partnership on Bangladesh-UK trade and investment, security, migration, climate change and welfare of the Rohingya,” she said.
The UK encourages dialogue and reconciliation in political life in Bangladesh, she said in a brief message shared on X, formerly known as twitter.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, the foreign minister said their repatriation is the only solution.
Responding to a question on the human rights issue, Hasan said certainly human rights is an issue globally and every country is working for improvement in this area.
The United Kingdom and Bangladesh share a deep and historic friendship.
Creating the conditions for a sustainable political settlement and vibrant civil society will enable long-term growth, said the British government in a statement on January 8 after the recent national election in Bangladesh.
The UK encouraged all political parties to address their differences and find a common way forward in the interests of the people of Bangladesh. “We will continue to support this process.”