United News of Bangladesh

Cooperation between the Netherlands and Bangladesh can expand the access to safe drinking water for communities across Bangladesh, particularly those in climate-vulnerable areas, through public-private partnership, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris Van Bommel has said. He made the observation while speaking to journalists during a visit to the Building Water Business programme of Max Foundation in Barishal on Thursday. The envoy visited the facility at Dudholmou in Bakerganj to see how smart, low-maintenance piped water systems, combined with digital payment solutions, enable efficient operations, transparent revenue collection, and a financially sustainable water business in climate-vulnerable contexts. Joris Van Bommel said the two countries have much in common when it comes to water management, as both are shaped by deltas, rivers and the sea. “Water, delta, sea and rivers provide a strong basis for cooperation between the Netherlands and Bangladesh,” he said, stressing that water cooperation should also ensure access to drinking water for everyone. The ambassador said his visit was aimed at examining how the “last mile” of water connectivity could be addressed so that communities could receive piped water at their homes. He said access to tap water is important not only for improving the quality of water but also for reducing the burden on women and girls, who often have to travel considerable distances to collect water. Joris Van Bommel said the experience in Barishal demonstrated that sustainable water services could be developed through cooperation among the government, private sector and communities. “We sincerely believe that is a sustainable solution to make sure that every household in Bangladesh does get access to water in the house, but also that it’s affordable in a public-private partnership perspective,” he said.

Bangladesh and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) on Thursday underscored the need for concerted efforts to diversify and expand trade and investment flows, recognising that the existing level of bilateral trade remains below its considerable potential. Both sides also agreed to encourage greater business-to-business engagement, including exchanges between the respective national apex chambers of commerce and industry. Lao PDR expressed particular interest to deepen cooperation on pharmaceuticals and agricultural products of Bangladesh. The issues were discussed at the first-ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Vientiane, marking a significant milestone in the 38-year-old diplomatic relationship established in 1988.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam hosted a luncheon in honour of the delegation of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC) and exchanged views on strengthening Bangladesh-US economic and commercial relations. She underscored the importance of continued engagement between Bangladesh and the US business community.  Members of the delegation and Bangladeshi business leaders exchanged views and shared experiences on opportunities and challenges relating to trade, investment, and business operations in Bangladesh. The discussions covered a range of areas, including energy, technology, digital economy, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services, reflecting the broad scope of Bangladesh-US economic engagement. The event, held at a city hotel, provided a platform for business leaders from both countries to interact and explore potential partnerships. The luncheon was attended by Ambassador (Retd.) Atul Keshap, President of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council and Senior Vice President for South Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Oliver Simpson, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Excelerate Energy, along with the USBBC delegation, senior government officials and prominent business leaders from Bangladesh. The 45-member USBBC delegation, representing 25 leading U.S. companies across energy, technology, financial services, healthcare, and agriculture concluded their three-day visit on Thursday after exploring avenues for deepening bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Leading American companies across energy, technology, agriculture, and finance explored opportunities.  

The attack in November 2025 on the Red Fort in Delhi was officially attributed to Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and there was some concern about “AQIS trying to exploit Bangladesh” to establish cells, said the biannual report from the UN Security Council’s monitoring team for sanctions on al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS, not listed) continued to evolve from a fragmented group into a regional terrorist entity; it established logistics and financial networks, working in decentralized small, scattered cells instead of large units. Thirty-eighth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2734 (2024) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities. Regional tensions in South Asia remained high as cross-border attacks between Pakistan and Afghanistan continued, said the report. “The threat level remained broadly unchanged. However, it intensified in the Sahel and South Asia. Al-Qaida senior leadership remained marginalized. Its capability and intent to conduct external operations remained unclear,” said the report in its summary.  The death of Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki was a blow to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, Q.115, hereinafter “ISIL (Da’esh)”), which may further affect its ability to communicate across its global network. In the Sahel, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM, QDe.159) launched a surprise attack in conjunction with the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) against the Government of Mali and announced its intention to blockade Bamako. There was a resurgence of violent rivalry between JNIM and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, the latter receiving increased support from Islamic State West Africa Province; this was the most intense direct confrontation globally between an Al-Qaida branch and an ISIL (Da’esh) affiliate. Al-Shabaab (SOe.001) appeared to shift towards more targeted and strategic operations, while ISIL in Somalia (not listed) remained under counter-terrorism pressure. Cross-border attacks between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated, provoked by a high number of attacks by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP, QDe.132) against Pakistan. ISIL (Da’esh) tried to exploit the closure of detention camps in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP, QDe.129) took advantage of the security vacuum in southern Yemen in early 2026 to strengthen its capabilities. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, CDe.001) operated at a heightened level of lethality, while simultaneously expanding their territorial reach, extending their presence as far north as Haut-Uélé Province. Al-Qaida and ISIL (Da’esh) continued to prioritize kidnapping for ransom, to generate revenue and delegitimize local security forces. The de facto authorities (Taliban) continued their support to the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which escalated attacks against Pakistan, provoking military exchanges. The Taliban continued publicly to deny harbouring any terrorist groups. Member States expressed concern that the conflict could create opportunities for terrorist groups, generating additional security challenges for the region. The terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan remained largely unchanged. The ability of numerous terrorist groups to operate in Afghanistan constituted an enduring threat to neighbouring countries and the Central Asian region. Despite efforts by the de facto authorities to combat Islamic State in Iraq and the LevantKhorasan (ISIL-K, QDe.161) and contain other terrorist groups, the authorities were unable to suppress the terrorist problem.

High Commissioner of the Maldives to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed on Thursday visited Aga Khan Academy Dhaka, operated by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). During the visit, the High Commissioner toured the academy and its facilities. She also met Medad Ali Virani, President of the AKDN Centre Bangladesh, and its management, according to the Maldivian High Commission in Dhaka. They exchanged views on AKDN’s programmes, initiatives and projects aimed at supporting Bangladesh’s economic and community development.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said Singapore has long had a proposal for a Bay Terminal at Chattogram Port, which came up for discussion during her recent visit to the country. "You know that the Singapore government has had a proposal for a Bay Terminal at our Chattogram Port for a long time. They have talked about that," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shama Obaed said they also visited one of the projects where they have a waste-to-energy and they have shown how they produce energy by managing waste. During her first official visit to Singapore, the State Minister met Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and its State Minister for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim separately and discussed issues of mutual interest. She also visited the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), where she met Regional CEO, Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Türkiye, PSA Vincent Ng, and senior officials. The State Minister was briefed on PSA’s global operations and its use of automation and advanced technologies to develop efficient, sustainable and smart ports. Vincent Ng expressed PSA’s interest in participating in the Bay Terminal project in Bangladesh, noting its potential to significantly enhance Chattogram Port and Bangladesh’s trade and connectivity, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister welcomed PSA’s interest and expressed hope for enhanced cooperation in port development, logistics, technology transfer and capacity building, in line with Bangladesh’s priorities of industrialisation, infrastructure development and connectivity. "We discussed ways to deepen cooperation, including expanding trade and strengthening our energy partnership. We are also making good progress on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, which will create more opportunities for businesses in both countries," said the Foreign Minister of Singapore. He said Singapore and Bangladesh share a longstanding partnership and close people-to-people ties. Bangladesh and Singapore on Tuesday expressed hope for the early conclusion of the Bangladesh-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and emphasised stronger business-to-business engagement. The two countries also exchanged views on energy security, including risks to energy supplies, shipping and global supply chains, as well as climate change, water security, and illegal and irregular migration.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Thursday stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by the government, the media, and all relevant stakeholders to effectively counter misinformation and disinformation. The issues were discussed when Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative-designate to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr Irene Zubaida Khan paid a courtesy call on the Information and Broadcasting Minister at the Minister’s office at Secretariat. Misinformation biggest challenge facing journalism now: Swapon During the meeting, they emphasised the importance of projecting Bangladesh’s positive image abroad and appropriately presenting the country’s position and achievements in the international arena. They also discussed the importance of highlighting Bangladesh’s achievements and various programmes of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the international media on the occasion of his participation in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, said a media release. Various aspects of media management for the Prime Minister’s visit, projecting Bangladesh’s positions and priorities in the international media, and presenting Bangladesh’s positive image to the global community were also discussed. The Information Minister assured her of the Ministry’s necessary cooperation in this regard. During the meeting, both sides identified the spread of misinformation and disinformation through social media and digital platforms as a major challenge. They also held detailed discussions on measures to adopt effective communication strategies to counter such propaganda, ensure the rapid flow of accurate information, and strengthen Bangladesh’s position on digital platforms. The Information Minister briefed her on the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in this regard. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were present at the meeting.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visits to India and Japan have not yet been finalised, saying the timing will depend on the Prime Minister's schedule and the progress of discussions between the countries. "The government is busy, the Prime Minister is busy," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referring to the government's ongoing domestic programmes and upcoming constitutional activities. Asked whether the Prime Minister would attend the upcoming BRICS Summit's outreach session or make a bilateral visit, the State Minister said there is still sufficient time to make a decision. "A lot can happen in a month," she said. Shama Obaed said the Prime Minister is currently occupied with various activities at home and that none of the other proposed visits including the India visit has been finalised yet. "If everything fits together, then of course there will be a visit to India, a visit to Japan, all the visits will happen," the State Minister said. She said the visits would depend on "the timing of the Prime Minister and how much progress the talks between the two countries are making." Elaborating on the domestic situation, Shama Obaed said the presidential election of Bangladesh will be held soon and the parliament session will resume. “We have many programmes domestically in Bangladesh that are being worked on. But there are many constitutional tasks ahead. So from that point on, the government is busy, the Prime Minister is busy,” she said. Asked whether a possible visit by the Prime Minister to India could help ease tensions in bilateral relations, the State Minister said direct communication between the heads of the two governments could provide an opportunity to address outstanding issues. "Whenever the heads of two countries talk, there is a chance of resolving many problems. That opportunity is there, it remains." The State Minister also urged India to make use of such an opportunity. "And India should also make good use of that opportunity," she said. The State Minister said public sentiment in Bangladesh should also be taken into consideration, particularly in the context of the July incident. "We have already said that when a convicted person speaks from Indian soil, the people of Bangladesh will not take it well," she said. "The July incident is still fresh in people's minds, the blood stains have not dried yet. So we must be sensitive from that point of view," Shama Obaed said. "But anytime the heads of the two countries sit, when the prime ministers of the two countries sit, then of course many problems can be solved and that is what we hope," she said. "And that is also what we hope that India remembers," the State Minister said. Asked specifically about the proposed visit to Japan, the State Minister said no date had yet been fixed. "The date and time have not been decided yet. It is a time for both our countries, a suitable time will be decided," she said. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday and shared the message he carried from Dhaka after his three important meetings with the Bangladesh leadership. Trivedi sought guidance from the Indian Prime Minister on further strengthening the multifaceted and enduring relationship between the two neighbours in a constructive manner with a people-centric approach, the source said. The High Commissioner is expected to return to Dhaka on Friday, a diplomatic source told UNB. Responding to a question during a regular briefing on Tuesday in New Delhi, Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said they had earlier in February invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit India. “And, subsequent to that, we have also invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit India for the BRICS summit. On both these invitations, I will give you an update as and when I have,” Jaiswal said. The Indian High Commissioner reached New Delhi on Monday after holding three meetings in Dhaka, which were seen as further consultations amid efforts to engage constructively to take forward relations between the two neighbours. He had separate courtesy meetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on Monday. The High Commissioner also met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday at State Guest House Padma. During the courtesy meeting with the Prime Minister, Dinesh Trivedi conveyed greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman and the intent to work together with the government and the people of Bangladesh in a "positive, constructive and forward-looking" manner. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and discussed avenues for further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh with a people-centric approach. During his meeting with Home Minister Salahuddin, they discussed areas of common interest, including security cooperation between the two countries and ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. The High Commissioner conveyed India’s willingness to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains, based on mutual interest, mutual benefit, and mutual sensitivities.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir on Wednesday urged the Maldives to further expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in the island nation. He made the request when Maldives High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the capital's Tejgaon in the afternoon. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on enhancing multilateral and bilateral engagements between the Maldives and Bangladesh, and explored opportunities to further strengthen the existing ties. They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and various issues of common interest. The adviser and the high commissioner emphasised increasing mutual cooperation in various fields, including tourism, human resources and investment.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday welcomed increased Japanese investment and enhanced economic cooperation, and expressed hope for expanded opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers in Japan. Highlighting Japan’s long-standing contribution to Bangladesh’s development, she appreciated Japan’s continued support through the BIG-B Initiative and Official Security Assistance programme. The issues were discussed when Japanese Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki called on the state minister at State Guest House Padma. Namazu Hiroyuki is on a two-day official visit to Dhaka and attended the 7th Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations (FOC).