United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said he decided to return home from New Delhi as an instant protest, stressing that this is a government with an overwhelming majority and popular mandate, not the Sheikh Hasina government. “I did not go there as an individual; I went as a representative of the government. Therefore, what happened to me there required an instant protest…. just to give a message that I was maltreated and was not treated appropriately. That is why I decided to return,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat. He said that after a certain point, the Indian authorities made repeated efforts sincerely to persuade him to enter the country and continue with his scheduled engagements. “As the Prime Minister’s adviser, I felt that there should be a clear signature or position from the state or the government regarding the incident,” he added. Friends May Change, Neighbours Do Not The adviser said he does not believe the incident will have any impact on future Dhaka-Delhi engagement. “I want to engage with India. There is an opportunity to improve relations in trade and commerce on the basis of equality,” he said. The adviser said one can change a friend but cannot change his or her neighbour, and it is true for both Bangladesh and India. Stating that it is not the intention to create any negative situation through this incident, the adviser said he hopes the incident will not affect future engagement between the two countries. In response to a question on whether he would visit India in the future, he said, “I will definitely go. I am making this very clear: if I receive a proper invitation, I will definitely go. I want to engage with India logically and rationally.” “When I talk about engaging with India, some people think that I am going to sell out the country. This government will never have relations with India by selling out Bangladesh. First of all, we are saying - Bangladesh First,” he added. Dr Zahed also said Bangladesh continues to maintain important cooperation with India on water-sharing and regional issues, including the Ganges Water Treaty, the Teesta agreement, and other transboundary river discussions. The adviser also appreciated the efforts of Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, who, according to him, did his utmost to resolve the matter. “I never intended for this to create any kind of reciprocal negative situation. I felt that a message needed to be conveyed to everyone in this country and outside the country, which is that this is not the Sheikh Hasina government. This is a government with a popular mandate.” The adviser said a government with a popular mandate must operate both inside and outside the country with that in mind. “At the same time, others must also take that into cognizance.” Bangladesh has a clear policy in its future engagements not only with India but with any other country, he said. “We do not want any kind of very bad situation with any country, let alone hostility.” Not Carrying Diplomatic Passport Isn’t An Issue He dismissed claims that the issue was related to holding a diplomatic passport, saying such a document is optional and not mandatory for foreign travel. “There is no specific reason (for not availing of a diplomatic passport),” the adviser said, indicating that the issue of a diplomatic passport is not relevant in this case. He said a SAARC sticker was attached to his passport, which was supposed to be effective in the same way as a diplomatic passport in such situations. “So, it is not a reason at all.” “If I do not avail of a diplomatic passport, does that mean I cannot travel abroad? Holding a diplomatic passport is not mandatory. It is a privilege that I can avail of. It is not that I must hold or use a diplomatic passport,” the adviser said. Bangladesh had informed the Indian Ministry of External Affairs about Dr Zahed’s visit to Delhi at least two days in advance. Despite this, he was kept waiting for two hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. After landing at the airport, he was received by Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi M Riaz Hamidullah and taken to the immigration desk. The adviser was scheduled to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). India hosted the meeting (June 15-16) in New Delhi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner and Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and conveyed Dhaka’s displeasure to New Delhi regarding the incident involving PM’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport. Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate” and said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking appropriate steps regarding the matter. “It is an unexpected incident, unfortunate too,” he said while briefly talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While responding to a question, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the incident is certainly not “welcoming”, and they do not expect this kind of incident to happen. “Our ministry is looking into this and communicating with India, and will certainly take action, if required, once the full details of the incident are known,” she said.  

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote Bangladeshi culture, tourism and trade relations in Nigeria, the Bangladesh High Commission in Abuja participated in the first-ever Diplomatic Cultural Festival, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria on June 13, 2026, in Abuja. The event brought together more than 41 diplomatic missions. The High Commission established a dedicated exhibition booth featuring Bangladeshi export products and photographs highlighting the country's major tourist attractions. Visitors were also treated to a variety of traditional Bangladeshi delicacies, while a cultural performance presented by the Mission drew significant attention and appreciation from the audience. A colorful national parade, organized by the High Commission, marched around the festival grounds and main stage, proudly displaying the national flag of Bangladesh. The parade was also joined by members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Nigeria, adding vibrancy and enthusiasm to the celebration. The High Commission’s participation and cultural presentations were highly appreciated by Nigerian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, local visitors and the Bangladeshi diaspora. The event served as an important platform for enhancing cultural understanding, strengthening people-to-people connections and further deepening the friendly relations between Bangladesh, Nigeria and other participating countries. 

Lt General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam of Bangladesh on Monday assumed his duties as Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). He was welcomed by top United Nations official in Cyprus, Khassim Diagne, and Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick Allen. UNFICYP looks forward to Major General Alam's leadership in supporting peace and stability on the island. 

Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) based in Lisbon, Portugal, Farouk S. Adatia, KC, on Monday, conveyed AKDN’s strong interest in further strengthening its partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, building on the longstanding goodwill and friendship between the two sides. He highlighted AKDN’s interest in exploring opportunities for private-sector investment in line with the priorities set by the new government in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and renewable energy. The diplomat met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed the possibility of a future visit by Rahim Aga Khan V to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir at his office in Tejgaon on Monday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, trade and investment, development cooperation, education, climate change and other areas of shared concern. Humaiun Kobir highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the UK and expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to grow stronger in the coming years. The British High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to further expanding cooperation with Bangladesh across various sectors. Both sides expressing their commitment to maintaining close cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner and Charge d' Affaires to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and conveyed Dhaka’s displeasure to New Delhi regarding the incident involving PM’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport. A diplomatic source confirmed the development to UNB in the afternoon without elaborating further. High Commissioner-designate Dinesh Trivedi, who arrived here recently, is yet to submit his credentials. Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate” and said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking appropriate steps regarding the matter. "It is an unexpected incident, unfortunate too," he said while briefly talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not Welcoming While responding to a question, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the incident is certainly not 'welcoming', and they do not expect this kind of incident to happen. “Our ministry is looking into this and communicating with India, and will certainly take action, if required, once the full details of the incident are known,” she said. The State Minister said that, firstly, the respective Director General (Ishrat Jahan - South Asia Wing) needs to know what happened. “Let our DG first find out what happened at India's immigration by gathering all the information, and then the ministry will take whatever steps are required.” Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed returned home on Monday via Colombo after he was stopped at Delhi airport by Indian immigration authorities on Sunday evening as his name was reportedly flagged during a security check. Sources close to Dr Zahed told UNB that he was subjected to "undue harassment" at Delhi airport, but there has been no comment so far from Dhaka or New Delhi regarding the matter. The Adviser was not carrying a diplomatic passport. He was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi (green) passport with a SAARC visa. The Adviser was scheduled to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). India is hosting the meeting (June 15-16) in New Delhi. The meeting brought together senior government officials from IORA Member States to review progress, discuss regional priorities, and advance cooperation across the Indian Ocean region under the theme of ‘Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability.’ The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the second-highest decision-making body of IORA and serves as the organisation’s principal coordinating mechanism. Comprising senior government representatives from Member States, the CSO is responsible for reviewing and discussing key agenda items, making recommendations, and submitting policy matters to the Council of Ministers (COM) for final approval.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will officially inaugurate “K-Goods Festa 2026” at Jamuna Future Park in the city on Friday. The two-day festival, taking place on June 19–20, is designed to introduce Bangladeshi consumers and businesses to a wide range of innovative Korean products, including electronics, cosmetics, skincare, personal care, lifestyle products, and food items. The event seeks to strengthen commercial ties between Korea and Bangladesh while creating new opportunities for local importers, retailers, distributors, and consumers, said the Korean Embassy in Dhaka. Beyond product exhibitions, visitors will be able to enjoy a vibrant Korean cultural experience through K-Pop performances, K-Beauty makeup demonstrations, Korean food tasting sessions, Kimchi-making experiences, Hanbok try-on activities, instant photo zones, Korea tourism information booths, and scholarship information desks. The festival will also feature the popular Buldak Spicy Noodle Challenge, offering participants a fun and interactive taste of Korean food culture. “K-Goods Festa 2026” reflects the remarkable popularity of Korean products and culture among Bangladeshi consumers. By combining commerce, culture, and innovation under one roof, the event aims to establish itself as a signature annual platform that brings the Korean lifestyle closer to the people of Bangladesh while promoting stronger business partnerships between the two countries.  

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman returned home on Monday after he was stopped at Delhi airport by the Indian immigration authorities on Sunday evening after his name was reportedly flagged during a security check. Sources closed to Dr Zahed told UNB that he was subjected to "undue harassment" at Delhi Airport but there has been no comment as of now from Dhaka and New Delhi regarding the matter. The Adviser was not carrying a diplomatic passport. He was traveling on a regular Bangladeshi (green) passport with a SAARC visa. The Adviser was scheduled to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). India is hosting the meeting (June 15-16) in New Delhi. The meeting brought together senior government officials from IORA Member States to review progress, discuss regional priorities, and advance cooperation across the Indian Ocean region under the theme of Innovation, Openness, Resilience & Adaptability. The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the second-highest decision-making body of IORA and serves as the organisation’s principal coordinating mechanism. Comprising senior government representatives from Member States, the CSO is responsible for reviewing and discussing key agenda items, making recommendations, and submitting policy matters to the Council of Ministers (COM) for final approval.

Bangladesh has warmly welcomed the finalisation of the peace agreement between US and Iran, stressing that Bangladesh believes that stability in the Middle East are vital for regional and global peace, security and development. Bangladesh has consistently been calling for de-escalation and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and appreciates the efforts of all parties and facilitators that contributed to this positive development, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Monday. Bangladesh hopes that the agreement will be implemented in good faith and prove durable and sustainable. Bangladesh encouraged all parties to build on this momentum to address outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and look forward to the early restoration of regional calm, supply chain and collaboration. The United States and Iran have reached a framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict, with mediator Pakistan stating that the deal is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, reports BBC. US President Donald Trump said the agreement includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Let the oil flow!” Oil prices have declined following the announcement.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen on Sunday congratulated the new Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh and Syed Mohammad Kamal of Mastercard, its new President.  "Our partnership strengthens the U.S.-Bangladesh economic relationship and supports a predictable, transparent, and accountable business climate for U.S. companies," he said. The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) celebrated the Installation of its newly elected Executive Committee for the 2026–2028 term in Dhaka, ushering in a new chapter of leadership and commitment to advancing Bangladesh-US business relations. At the helm of the newly elected Executive Committee are Syed Mohammad Kamal, Vice President of Mastercard Bangladesh, who assumes the role of President; Ala Uddin Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of MetLife Bangladesh, as Vice President; and Reza Ur Rahman Mahmud, Managing Director of Philip Morris International Bangladesh, as Treasurer. The newly elected office bearers bring extensive leadership experience across diverse sectors, as outlined below. Syed Mohammad Kamal combines 35 years of leadership experience across financial services, FMCG, Remittances, and digital payments. He has held senior roles at Western Union, Berger Paints Bangladesh, and ACI Limited, and previously served as Vice President of AmCham Bangladesh and Director of FICCI. He is perceived as the country’s top thought leader for the financial industry. Ala Uddin Ahmad brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across Asia. He is recognized for strong policy advocacy, driving trade and investment growth by aligning global investor priorities with Bangladesh’s economic landscape. A Fellow Chartered Accountant and member of CAANZ, he has served in key leadership roles within AmCham, FICCI, and BEF. Reza Ur Rahman Mahmud has over 22 years of experience in finance, strategy, and public affairs, with leadership experience at DHL Express and Banglalink. He has led impactful policy advocacy initiatives and pioneered Bangladesh's first smoke-free product manufacturing facility. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, Chartered Secretary, and CMA (Australia). Joining the Executive Committee are Al-Mamun M. Rashel, Managing Director of NATco Bangladesh Ltd.; Habib Bhuiyan, Country Manager of Excelerate Energy Bangladesh; Sazzad Hossain, General Manager of Avery Dennison Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; and Ataur Rahim Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of ShopUp Bangladesh. Their collective expertise across diverse sectors further strengthens the Committee’s leadership and broadens its industry representation. The newly installed Executive Committee pledged to strengthen AmCham’s role in advancing trade, investment, and policy advocacy. Key priorities include deepening U.S.–Bangladesh economic ties, positioning Bangladesh as a preferred investment destination, relaunching the U.S. Trade Show, expanding membership and engagement, empowering sector-focused subcommittees, championing forward-looking policy reforms, and building a more accessible and influential Chamber that is closer to members, stronger in stakeholder engagement, and delivers greater value to the business community. In his farewell remarks, outgoing President Syed Ershad Ahmed reflected on the Chamber's significant institutional progress during his tenure. The newly elected Executive Committee expressed its deep appreciation for his leadership and legacy, and recognized the outgoing Executive Committee members for their dedicated service and contributions to AmCham's growth and success. The Chamber also formally recognized the outgoing Executive Committee, along with the members of the Election Board and Appeal Board, through commemorative plaques honoring their exemplary service and invaluable contributions to upholding the integrity, transparency, and credibility of AmCham's governance process. The evening brought together a distinguished gathering of AmCham members, senior government officials, representatives of the U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions, chamber and corporate leaders, policy scholars, development partners, and media professionals. Brent T. Christensen, Ambassador of the United States to Bangladesh, conveyed his confidence in and continued support for AmCham's new leadership as it advances the Chamber's mission of strengthening bilateral economic ties. The evening was capped by a soulful musical performance featuring popular American and Bangladeshi songs, celebrating the longstanding friendship, cultural affinity, and strong people-to-people ties between the two nations.