United News of Bangladesh

Iran has invited Bangladesh to participate in ‘Iran Expo 2025’ which is scheduled to be held from April 26 to May 2 in Tehran. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mansour Chavoshi handed over the invitation to Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Wednesday for Bangladesh’s participation in the expo. The foreign secretary sought ambassador’s cooperation in ensuring participation of Iranian businesses and investors in the upcoming ‘Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025’ scheduled to be held from April 7-10 in Dhaka. The ambassador paid a courtesy call on the foreign secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interests. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations with particular emphasis on economic and cultural cooperation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the foreign secretary recalled the deep historical and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Iran reaffirming the potential for enhancing collaboration in various sectors. Dhaka urges Rome to resolve backlog of visa applications by aspirant migrants Echoing his sentiment, the Iranian ambassador sought foreign secretary’s support and cooperation in enhancing and cementing the ongoing bilateral engagement in various sectors including business, trade and investment.  Both sides took stock of and reviewed the pending engagement in various issues urging for finalising the pending instruments and MoUs on cultural exchange, waiver of visa, education and research and so on. They also explored the means and ways to address the current challenges in optimising  bilateral trade and commercial collaboration.   During the meeting, Ambassador Chavoshi conveyed his gratitude for Bangladesh's longstanding support on international platforms and expressed hope for continued collaboration in multilateral fora. The two sides exchanged views and reiterated their commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation including the convening of the next round of the Joint Economic Commission and Foreign Office Consultations at an early date.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Wednesday raised with Italy the issue of the backlog of the visa applications, particularly of aspirant migrant workers. He said such delays in issuing visas might result in the work permits (Nula Ostas) getting expired or cancelled while causing huge financial, social and psychological distress for the visa aspirants and their families. When Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on, the foreign secretary requested him to take due measures to dispose of the applications and resolve the existing visa gridlock at the earliest.  Ambassador Alessandro took active note of the points raised by the foreign secretary, according to the foreign ministry. He, however, conveyed that all Nulla Ostas issued to Bangladeshi citizens until 22 October 2024 are currently suspended by the new law adopted by the government of Italy on 11 October 2024. Some quarters spreading false information about Bangladesh: Foreign Adviser tells visiting US Senator The embassy has, therefore, decided to return the travel documents of those who have already submitted visa applications before the adoption of the law while keeping their applications open until the confirmation or rejection of their Nulla Ostas. The ambassador also informed that the re-examination process of Nulla Osta is solely performed by the Provincial Immigration Authority in Italy which can either confirm or revoke the Nulla Osta. The embassy has no power to intervene in scrutinisation of the pending Nulla Osta. With regard to a query on processing times, the Italian ambassador apprised that the embassy is not in a position to conclude each visa process within the period of 90 days. The work visa applications received in Bangladesh coupled with the mandatory control on implementation of the ‘Flow Decree’ in Italy sometimes requires more than 90 days. On the duration of “Nulla Osta” Ambassador Alessandro explained that the suspension by law has frozen the expiration date. Ambassador Alessandro assured the foreign secretary that he will convey the request to the competent authority of Italy to expedite the re-examination of the pending Nulla Ostas and address the issue as early as possible.

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday launched a project to support around 8,000 individuals severely affected by the violence and disruption which occurred in the context of the July-August 2024 uprising in Bangladesh. The “Pathways to Healing: A Survivor Centred Approach to Address Violence and Human Rights Violations” intervention will be implemented by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in close collaboration with the government of Bangladesh and other stakeholders. The EUR 2 million grant project is fully funded by the European Union and is scheduled to be implemented until August 2026, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka. EU to support Bangladesh in holding elections meeting international standards The primary focus of the initiative is to improve the physical and psychological well-being of survivors of violence, to enhance their economic resilience, and to strengthen social cohesion, as both the government of Bangladesh and the EU identify that severe needs continue to exist. To achieve these goals, the project will provide access to medical services and rehabilitation, as well as assistive devices to those facing physical challenges; support existing health facilities with pharmaceutical products and medical equipment; offer tailored mental health and psychosocial support, including counselling and referrals, and support a help line facility to ensure sustainable assistance; support recovery and diversification of income-generating activities to foster community cohesion and resilience; and organise opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders to foster social cohesion. The project will be implemented in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, targeting persons directly affected by last year’s events, including students, workers, journalists, their families, and otEU to provide 68mn Euros for Rohingyas, host community: Commissioner Lahbibhers.   An important objective is to ensure continuity of support beyond the project period through strong coordination with government agencies and stakeholders, integration into existing government health and social support systems, and sustainable livelihood market linkages, said the EU Embassy.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, during his meeting with US Senator Gary C. Peters on Tuesday, asserted that some quarters, both home and abroad, are spreading misinformation and disinformation about Bangladesh. He urged the Senator to reflect the true scenario of Bangladesh to help the country fight against those. The Senator took a note of it, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The US Senator had a courtesy meeting with the Foreign Adviser at the State Guest House ‘Padma’. The US CDA to Bangladesh Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson was present at the meeting. The meeting was also attended by the accompanying delegates of the Senator, senior diplomats from the US Embassy in Dhaka, and officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Election to be free and festive, Dr Yunus tells US Senator The meeting discussed key areas of bilateral relations including trade, investment, development cooperation, people-to-people connections, cyber security, and climate resilience.  The Foreign Adviser warmly welcomed Senator Gary Peters and thanked him for his first-ever visit to Bangladesh. He apprised the Senator of the reform initiatives by the Government led by Dr Yunus and the preparations for holding a "free, fair, and participatory" election. The Senator appreciated the ongoing initiatives and reiterated for continued support of the United States in democratic transition of Bangladesh.  During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on excellent collaboration, emphasising the need to enhance trade relations, technological exchanges, and security cooperation between the two friendly countries.  The Foreign Adviser highlighted the significant challenges Bangladesh faces in hosting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and emphasised the critical need for their sustainable repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar. He also sought the cooperation of the USA in partnering with Bangladesh at the international conference on Rohingyas to be held in New York later this year. Senator Gary Peters highly praised the generous humanitarian support of Bangladesh and assured him of the US support for the repatriation of Rohingyas.  Senator Gary Peters mentioned the praiseworthy contributions of the Bangladesh community in his State of Michigan and also in the USA as a whole. He also emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in addressing shared challenges, including climate change.  The meeting concluded with the commitment to furthering the Bangladesh-U.S. partnership and exploring new avenues of cooperation. Senator Peters conveyed his appreciation for Bangladesh’s hospitality and reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast support in advancing mutual interests. The meeting was followed by an iftar and dinner.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. He invited Qatari businesspeople to invest in Bangladesh and relocate their factories to the country's many economic zones. "Bangladesh is now ready for business. We want Qatari businessmen to explore opportunities here in Bangladesh," Dr Yunus said, adding that Dhaka would hold an investment summit in early April. Qatar has extended its full support to the reform agenda of Bangladesh's Interim goverment, the ambassador of the rich Gulf kingdom of Qatar, Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani, said. Ambassador Al-Qahtani called on Dr Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, where he conveyed the message from his government. "Qatar is eager to provide all sorts of support to Bangladesh," the Qatari ambassador told the chief adviser. Election to be free and festive, Dr Yunus tells US Senator "This is wonderful," Prof Yunus said, thanking the Qatar Emir for the support and for being a close friend of Bangladesh. The Qatari ambassador appreciated the invitation, saying he hopes more business people from his country will visit Bangladesh very soon. Yunus highlighted the reform agenda of his government and the work of the consensus commission to hold dialogue with the political parties. He said he is expected to visit Qatar next month to attend an international conference in the gas-rich Gulf kingdom.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday assured a visiting US Senator that the upcoming election will be conducted in a free, fair and festive manner. "There will be big celebrations on the election day, like the ones we have seen in the past," the Chief Adviser said when US Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. During the hour-long meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to deepen relationships between the two friendly countries. Senator Peters enquired about the reform initiatives of the interim government, the reports of key commissions and the interim government's plan to hold free and fair elections. The Chief Adviser said the government would hold the election in December if the political parties agreed to fewer reforms. But the general election would be held a few months later if the parties wanted a bigger package of reforms from the interim government. Prof Yunus said the political parties would sign a July Charter once they agreed to the reforms proposed by the major commissions. "The July Charter will set the future course of the country," he said. Peters appreciated the reform agenda of the government, saying the US was looking forward to a smooth democratic transition in Bangladesh. Senator Peters said many Bangladeshi-origin people reside in his constituency in Michigan, including the city of Detroit. Some of them have expressed concern over the attacks on the minorities in recent months, he added. Bangladesh, Australia want cooperation to enable mobility of skilled workforce He said there have also been massive amounts of misinformation over the minority attacks. Some of this misinformation has permeated into the US, raising concerns among minority groups, he said. Prof Yunus reaffirmed his government's commitment to upholding the human rights of every citizen of the country irrespective of their colour, creed, race, sex and gender. He said the attacks on the minorities, notably Hindus, following the changeover in August last year were politically, not religiously, motivated, but his government has taken prompt actions against the culprits. Dr Yunus has urged the US Senator to visit cities and towns across Bangladesh and invited other US political leaders, journalists and activists to tour the country to know the actual information on religious harmony. "We need your help. Please tell your friends to travel to Bangladesh. This way we can combat these misinformation campaigns," he said. The two leaders also discussed social businesses, a world without poverty and microcredit as a tool to fight poverty both in the US and the rest of the world.

A six-member Chinese delegation, led by Li Qun, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, recently visited Panam City in Sonargaon to strengthen cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Bangladesh. During the visit on Saturday, the delegation was accompanied by Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah, Regional Director of the Department of Archaeology (Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions) Afroza Khan Mita, Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Rahman, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Manjurul Morshed, and other police and administrative officials. The visit aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration in heritage conservation and cultural preservation, according to a Facebook post shared by Panam Nagar Sonargaon. Sharing the post regarding the visit of the Chinese delegation on Sunday, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki wrote on his Facebook: “Something great must happen soon! Panam Nagar is at the centre of our vision.” Chinese solar panel giant Longi to invest in Bangladesh: Ambassador Yao Panam City, a historical site in Sonargaon, was once a thriving trading hub during the Bengal Sultanate and later under Mughal rule. Known for its unique blend of Mughal and colonial-era architecture, the city remains a significant heritage site in Bangladesh. Over the years, however, it faced threats from urban encroachment and environmental degradation, making conservation efforts crucial. China and Bangladesh have previously cooperated in cultural preservation, and experts believe that increased collaboration could aid in restoring and maintaining the rich history of Panam City. During the holy month of Ramadan, Panam City will be open for visitors from Monday to Saturday, between 10 am and 4:30 pm, with a short break from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm; and on Fridays, visiting hours will be from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. The site will remain closed on Sundays as part of the weekly holiday.

US President Donald Trump's incoming cabinet has begun talks with the interim government in Bangladesh, according to US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who is currently in New Delhi for a high-profile security conclave - the Raisina Dialogue. She claimed the situation in Bangladesh remains 'a central focus area of concern' for the Trump administration. Asked about alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh by Vishnu Som for NDTV World, Gabbard said, "The longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern for the US government and President Trump and his administration." She went on to say that the new, incoming US Cabinet under Trump has just begun talks with Dhaka. "The talks are just beginning between President Trump's new cabinet coming in and the Government of Bangladesh, but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern," she said Acknowledging the threat of Islamic extremism and terrorist elements in Bangladesh, she then pivoted to present her view of the global picture of Islamic extremism, straying dangerously close to Islamophobia. Bangladesh dismisses Tulsi Gabbard's remarks as misleading and damaging "The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are routed in the same ideology and objective - which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate," she said, adding that "This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than the one that they find acceptable, and they chose to carry this out with terror and very violent ways and means." Gabbard went on to say that President Trump is determined to identify and defeat such an ideology and end the rise of what he calls "radical Islamic terrorism". "President Trump remains committed to identifying the ideology that drives Islamist terrorism, and working to defeat this ideology and their ability to exact that terror on people," she said. Gabbard is on a multi-nation trip to the Indo-Pacific that will also take her to Japan, Thailand and France. On Tuesday she will deliver a keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship conference on geopolitics. Meanwhile,  reacting to the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, the interim government of Bangladesh said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability and progress.

Reacting to remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, the interim government on Monday said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability and progress. In a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the government said Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of “Islamist caliphate”. The government noted with deep concern and distress the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate." This statement, the interim government said, is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism. Guterres: Societies "stronger, more resilient" in Bangladesh when everyone can play "meaningful role" "Gabbard's comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush," said the government in its statement. Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts, the government said. Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions, the statement reads. "In support of our shared global efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, the Interim government of Bangladesh remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue based on facts and on respect for the sovereignty and security of all nations," it mentioned.

Bangladesh and Australia on Monday emphasized enhancing collaboration between Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres (TTCs) and Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) for ensuring mutual recognition of degrees and upgrading technical education standards of Bangladesh to enable the mobility of the skilled workforce. Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed various issues of mutual interest including trade, investment, migration and visa facilitation. "We are working together to strengthen our growing trade and investment ties, support Bangladesh’s development goals and work together to shape a safe, prosperous and free Indo-Pacific," said the Australian High Commission in Dhaka. The Adviser reiterated that the international community must demonstrate their will to ensure the repatriation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (the Rohingyas) to their motherland in Rakhine State through a roadmap and the process should start immediately. The Australian High Commissioner expressed the readiness of her government to work with Bangladesh regarding the Rohingya issue and assured to extend necessary support for the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, said the MoFA. The Foreign Affairs Adviser congratulated the High Commissioner for her new role and assured her to provide necessary support during her tenure in Bangladesh.