United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has officially decided not to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, escalating the sporting standoff between the two countries to an unprecedented level. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul disclosed the major development on Sunday, calling the move as a necessary response to what he termed the ‘radical communal policy’ of the Indian cricket authorities. The decision came as a dramatic shift from the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) initial plan to merely request a venue change. It signals a definitive boycott of matches on Indian soil following the controversial exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. Decision on IPL broadcast ban after legal assessment: Adviser Rizwana “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board took this decision today,” Asif Nazrul wrote on his social media. “I welcome this decision adopted in the context of the Indian board's radical communal policy,” he added. The crisis was triggered on Saturday when the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman. The move was celebrated by certain Indian political leaders as a “victory for Hindus,” a rhetoric that has drawn sharp condemnation from Dhaka. In parallel, the government is moving to sever cricketing ties on the broadcast front.  Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan earlier said the administration is actively reviewing legal frameworks to ban the telecast of the 2026 IPL within Bangladesh. “There is no way to sit silent; a reaction must be shown,” Rizwana Hasan stated at the Secretariat, echoing Nazrul’s earlier sentiment that “the days of slavery are over.”

Despite occasional tensions, Bangladesh and India continue to value goodwill and good neighbourliness, recognising that cooperation, not confrontation, best serves the interests of the two close neighbours bound by shared history, borders and cultural ties. The recent visit by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to Bangladesh signals a renewed emphasis on advancing this spirit of good neighbourliness and partnership based on mutual respect. “For any country in diplomacy, relations with neighbors get priority, especially for those who are not global powers - for example, Bangladesh. For them, relations with neighbors are very important,” said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, highlighting the importance of relations with big and small neighbors. The Adviser, who believes in the country’s permanent interest, said one of their key tasks is to maintain good relations with all small and big neighbors and try to get benefits out of that. Bangladesh is connected with India through trade, connectivity, water sharing, security and people-to-people exchanges. “When Bangladesh and India remain sensitive to each other’s concerns and avoid actions that undermine the other’s interests, it helps reduce misunderstandings and build confidence,” said a diplomat. Prepared to engage with any govt emerges through inclusive polls in Bangladesh: India Such an approach, the diplomat thinks, strengthens regional stability, supports economic growth, and enables both nations to address common challenges through dialogue. Adviser Hossain said foreign policy is, to a large extent, influenced by domestic policy. “You can’t forget it.” During an event at IIT Madras in Chennai, Jaishankar on Friday replied to a question on India’s neighborhood policy and Bangladesh issues, days after attending the funeral of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Good Neighbours He highlighted the difference between “good neighbors” and “bad neighbors,” and said India supports and assists countries that maintain cooperative ties. He cited examples such as vaccine diplomacy, economic aid and crisis support. At the same time, he asserted India’s right to defend itself against neighbors that persist with terrorism, stressing that New Delhi’s approach is guided by common sense and national interest. “If you have a neighbor who is good to you, or at least who is not harmful to you, your natural instinct is to be kind and to help that neighbor. If the neighbor has a problem, you would like to contribute in some way. If nothing else, you will say hello, you will try to build friendships and bonding, and that is what we do as a country,” Jaishankar said. He said whenever there is a spirit of good neighborliness, India chooses to invest, help and share. “With good neighbors, India invests, helps and shares, whether it was vaccines during COVID, fuel and food support during the Ukraine conflict, or the $4 billion assistance to Sri Lanka during its financial crisis.” Wishing Bangladesh well for the upcoming national election, Jaishankar said the sense of neighborliness in the region will grow once things settle down. "Right now, they (Bangladesh) are heading for elections. We wish them well in that election. We hope that once things settle down, the sense of neighborliness in this region will grow," he said. Jaishankar wishes Bangladesh well for polls, hopes deepened neighbourly ties Highlighting the growth of India, Jaishankar said if India grows, all its neighbors will grow with them. "We will have many more opportunities. I think that in a sense is the message that I also took to Bangladesh," said Jaishankar who visited Bangladesh recently. Bad Neighbours Jaishankar also spoke about India’s “bad neighbours” and said if a country decides to “deliberately, persistently, unrepentantly continue with terrorism” India has the right to protect itself from such “neighbours”. “We will exercise that right. How we exercise that right is up to us. Nobody can tell us what we should do or not. We will do whatever we have to do to defend ourselves. It is a common sense proposition,” he said. South Asian nations’ gesture highlights Khaleda’s respect, stature: Foreign Adviser The Indian External Affairs Minister said if there is no good neighbourliness, “you do not get the benefits of that good neighbourliness. You cannot say, "Please share water with me, but I will continue terrorism with you.” Economic Interests Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has recently said Bangladesh manages its ties with India by keeping economic interests distinct from political rhetoric, with trade-related decisions driven by competitiveness and national interest rather than diplomacy. “Our trade policy is not driven by political considerations. If importing rice from India is cheaper than sourcing it from Vietnam or elsewhere, then it makes economic sense to buy from India,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase. Salehuddin said Bangladesh would import essentials such as rice from India if prices remain competitive, regardless of the prevailing political discourse between the two neighbours, mentioning that imports from alternative markets could cost Tk 10 more per kilogram. Khaleda's passing leaves irreplaceable void, but her vision, legacy will endure: Modi Salehuddin stressed that Bangladesh has never pursued punitive trade measures against India for political reasons. “We do not believe in using trade as a tool for political retaliation. Our priority is to ensure supplies at the best possible price for our people,” he added. Deep Relations “Relations between Bangladesh and India are so deep ... .it will remain good in the future. There is no alternative to maintaining good relations between the two countries,” said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus recently. Referring to huge "interdependencies" on each other, he said the relationship between Bangladesh and India is historically, politically and economically very close and they cannot deviate from this. Bangladesh will hold a high-stakes national election on February 12 the first polls since mass uprising last year, excluding the Bangladesh Awami League, activities of which remain suspended. The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh is fully prepared to hold 'free, fair, and peaceful' elections on February 12 next year. Jaishankar hands over PM Modi’s personal letter to Tarique Rahman Highlighting the importance of stability and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, India said it wants close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, which is rooted in the liberation struggle and strengthened through various development and people-to-people initiatives. “We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere,” Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Amid growing tensions between Dhaka and Delhi, India on Tuesday summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah. This development came hours after the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned his Indian counterpart High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express Dhaka’s ‘grave concern’ over a series of incidents in India targeting Bangladeshi diplomatic missions. This is the second time the envoys to India and Bangladesh were summoned amid tense ties between the two countries. Dhaka-Delhi ties deep, multi-layered; future to be shaped by trust, dignity, mutual respect: Envoy Meanwhile, India deployed 15,000 security forces in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, a diplomatic source told UNB. It was not immediately known what message was conveyed to him, but there were speculations that the Bangladesh High Commissioner might be summoned as a countermeasure.

Bangladesh on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) expressed grave concern to the government of India over incidents involving extremist elements, including disturbances outside the Bangladesh High Commission and the official residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma and expressed deep concern over violent protests staged outside the premises of the different Diplomatic Missions of Bangladesh in India. Read more: Bangladesh suspends all visa, consular services from its Missions in Delhi, Agartala Bangladesh condemned such acts of premeditated violence or intimidation against diplomatic establishments, which not only endanger the safety of diplomatic personnel but also undermine the principles of mutual respect and values of peace and tolerance. The government of Bangladesh called upon the government of India to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts and to ensure safety and security of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions and related facilities in India. The government of Bangladesh expects the government of India to immediately take appropriate steps in accordance with its international and diplomatic obligations to safeguard the dignity and security of diplomatic personnel and establishments, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more: Rights groups warn of shrinking democratic space in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has suspended all visa and consular services from its Missions in New Delhi and Agartala. “Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular & visa services from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice,” said the High Commission in its notice, adding, “Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.” Bangladesh Assistant High Commission Agartala also issued a similar notice. “This is to inform all concerned that due to unavoidable circumstances all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala will remain closed from tomorrow, 23 December 2025, until further notice.” Keeping humanitarian needs in mind and despite the evolving security situation, the High Commission of India continues to operate the visa centers at Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi, said officials at the Indian Visa Application Centre.  Read more: Offline Indian visa services remain suspended in Khulna High Commissioner Pranay Verma visited the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) at the Jamuna Future Park on Monday to take stock of the functioning of the visa services.  He also interacted with visa applicants, many of whom were applying for medical visas to go to India for treatment. Given the "serious threats" last week at the Indian High Commission and its installations in Bangladesh, HCI had to shut down the operations at IVAC, JFP for a day last week, officials at IVAC said.  It was later opened and all the applicants whose appointment slots fell on that day were given an early alternative slot. Several people who apply for visas are travelling to India for treatment of serious medical conditions.  The IVAC at Chittagong is temporarily shut down following the mob attack at the entrance of AHCI Chittagong in the night of 18-19 December during which stone pelting and threats to break the entrance created serious insecurities for the AHC and other officials who live inside the same premises. Read more: Pranay Verma visits Indian visa centre in Dhaka During the visit of HC to IVAC, IVAC officials flagged the problems of large amounts of fake documents being submitted and also the disruption created by middlemen and touts who try to hack into visa servers and create artificial traffic depriving common visa applicants from genuine slots.  The High Commissioner assured to raise the concerns with relevant authorities in Bangladesh.

Amid fresh tensions in relations between two neighbours, India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah and briefed him on the activities of certain extremist elements who have reportedly announced plans to create a security situation around Indian territory. High Commissioner Hamidullah was apprised of India's strong concerns at the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh. His attention was drawn, in particular, to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka. "India completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh," the MEA said in a media release following the summon. Read more: Indian visa application centre in Dhaka to close at 2pm Wednesday "It is unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents," India conveyed to Bangladesh. India said it has close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh rooted in the liberation struggle, and strengthened through various developmental and people-to-people initiatives. "We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere," India reiterated. India said they expect the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations. Visa Centre in Dhaka Closed In view of the ongoing security situation, the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka was close at 2:00 pm on Wednesday. "In view of the on-going security situation, we wish to bring to your kind notice that IVAC JFP Dhaka will be closed at 2 PM today," said a notification issued by the IVAC in Dhaka. Read more: ISPR calls out fake news of Bangladesh Navy sinking an Indian fishing trawler in the Bay All applicants with appointment slots scheduled for submission today will be rescheduled for a later date. The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park (JFP) in Dhaka is the main, integrated center for all Indian visa services in the capital. Delhi's Cooperation South Bangladesh Sunday sought India’s cooperation in preventing the escape to India of the suspects involved in the recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi and, in case they manage to enter into Indian territory, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition to Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned High Commissioner Pranay Verma at State Guest House Padma and emphasised that as a neighbour, India is expected to stand with the people of Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes. The High Commissioner of India emphasised that India looked forward to peaceful elections in Bangladesh and expressed his country’s readiness to extend all cooperation in this regard. Police have already identified the attackers and their associates in the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inquilab Moncho and a potential independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. Intensive operations by law enforcement agencies are continuing to arrest them, said the interim government. Read more: Jamaat Islam opposed India, not 1971 war: Amir Hamza The motorcycle used in the attack has already been seized and the fingerprints of the suspects are being checked. To prevent the main suspect from crossing the border, photos and other information of the suspects were provided to all immigration check posts on Friday night. Patrols of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and RAB have been intensified in the border area. Although the location of the suspects has been identified several times within the country, it has not been possible to arrest them yet due to their repeated changes of location, the government said. Hasina’s Extradition The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed the government of Bangladesh’s serious concern to the government of India over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The ministry expressed its objection over India allowing fugitive Sheikh Hasina to continue making incendiary statements, urging her supporters to engage in ‘terrorist’ activities in Bangladesh with the aim of disrupting the upcoming national election. Bangladesh reiterated her call for the expeditious extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face the sentences handed down by the judicial authorities in Bangladesh. Read more: India greets Bangladesh on Victory Day The ministry also drew the attention of the envoy to anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members staying in India, including planning, organising and helping to carry out terrorist activities inside Bangladesh in order to hinder the upcoming elections. The Indian government was called upon to expeditiously act to end the criminal actions by these fascist terrorists and extradite them to Bangladesh as soon as possible, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India on Wednesday (November 26) said it has received a request from Bangladesh for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stating that the request is being examined. “Yes, we have received the request and this request is being examined,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters while responding to a question at a regular briefing in New Delhi. He said they, as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes, remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in ‘peace, democracy, inclusion and stability’ in that country. Read more: ICT releases full verdict on Hasina, Kamal’s death penalty The MEA spokesperson reiterated that they will always engage ‘constructively’ with all stakeholders to that end. Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh expects an answer from India on its latest request for extradition of convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “I do not expect that they will answer within a week of Dhaka’s request but we expect we will get an answer,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday when a journalist wanted to know about the update on Hasina’s extradition request. When pressed further, Hossain said he is not saying that Dhaka is not going to get an answer but the fact is that they are not expecting a reply within seven days. Bangladesh wrote to India afresh seeking Hasina’s extradition following the recent verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 against her. Adviser Hossain said the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to the Ministry of External Affairs, India through Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. He also acknowledged that Bangladesh did not receive a reply from India on its first request for extradition last year. On November 17, the ICT sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison. Read more: Dhaka expects answer from Delhi on Hasina's extradition: Foreign Adviser The Foreign Affairs Adviser on Sunday (November 23) disclosed the fresh diplomatic communication with New Delhi A diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB that the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to New Delhi soon after National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Dr Khalilur Rahman’s returns home from New Delhi. Dr Rahman attended the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi on November 20 at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval. After the verdict, Bangladesh urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities. This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. "It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity," it said. Read more: India’s Lt Gen Manish Luthra highlights Bangladesh-India friendship

Lieutenant General Manish Luthra, Director General Military Operations of Indian Army, has reflected upon the deep-rooted historical relations between Bangladesh and India. While speaking at a reception in New Delhi as the chief guest, he highlighted how the two nations have stood by each other in times of need and how their shared sacrifices and cultural ties have laid the foundation of a unique friendship. Describing the bilateral relationship as truly remarkable and exemplary, he emphasised that the cooperation between the two countries extends beyond the present spectrum, said a media release issued by the Bangladesh High Commission. Luthra expressed his strong conviction that this partnership, built on mutual trust and respect, will continue to grow stronger in the days ahead. Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday (November 24) celebrated the Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh with a view to brightening the country's positive image across the world and upholding the image of Bangladesh Armed Forces. To celebrate this special occasion, the Defence Wing of Bangladesh High Commission hosted the reception at Bangladesh High Commission Auditorium. Defence Advisers/Attaches and diplomats of different countries based in New Delhi, senior officers from the Indian armed forces, journalists, members from Bangladeshi community and few Indian war veterans of 1971 attended the event. The programme began with the national anthem of Bangladesh and India respectively. BNP leader Zainul Abedin urges India to return Hasina Thereafter the Defence adviser of Bangladesh high Commission, High Commissioner and the chief guest delivered their speech. Defence Adviser, Brigadier General Md Hafizur Rahman specially mentioned the great sacrifice of the War Heroes of India besides the Mukti-Bahini of Bangladesh in achieving the glorious victory in 1971. Appreciating the presence of the esteemed guests, he highlighted on the progress of defence cooperation between Bangladesh and India, as well as the advancement of Bangladesh Armed Forces at home and international arena. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Riaz Hamidullah, in his remarks stated that the relationship between Bangladesh and India is multidimensional. He emphasised that the two nations are bound by shared history, culture and geography, and that the ties between their peoples rest on a strong foundation. The High Commissioner further noted that the basis of this relationship must not be deception, but rather mutual respect and trust. Recalling India’s contribution to Bangladesh’s War of Independence, the High Commissioner highlighted that during the challenging period of 1971, India played a crucial role for Bangladesh. He acknowledged that there remain several challenges and sensitive issues in the bilateral relationship. To build a brighter future for the peoples of both countries, he stressed the need for wisdom and cooperation in the days ahead. He underscored that in order to ensure peace, stability, and a prosperous future for the peoples of Bangladesh and India, both nations must not only address existing challenges but also seize opportunities for mutual collaboration. In his speech, the High Commissioner paid solemn tribute to the women who endured suffering during the Liberation War of 1971, as well as to the 1,668 members of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in that struggle. Afterwards, Indian war veterans who had contributed to Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 were felicitated by the chief guest and the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in India. A short clip containing the contribution of Bangladesh Armed Forces in nation-building and for international peace was screened, followed by cutting of the cake and photo sessions. Read more: Dhaka voices displeasure over Hasina’s interviews with Indian media 

Bangladesh has written afresh to India seeking former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition following the recent verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal-1. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday (November 23) disclosed the fresh diplomatic communication with New Delhi but did not elaborate further. A diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB that the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to New Delhi soon after National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Dr Khalilur Rahman’s returns home from New Delhi. Dr Rahman attended the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi on November 20 at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval. On November 17, the ICT sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison. Dhaka may approach ICC to bring back Hasina, Kamal: Law Adviser After the verdict, Bangladesh urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities. “I understand they need to be brought back. We will let India know our position officially. Certainly, an official letter will be sent,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 17. Acknowledging that India did not reply to Bangladesh’s extradition request for Hasina, Hossain said the situation is different now as the trial is completed and they are punished. "This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. "It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement. July Martyrs’ families demand swift execution of Hasina’s sentence Meanwhile, India said it noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning Hasina and said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders. “As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement. The India ministry said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end. President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman on Saturday said India, as a friendly neighbour, should respect Bangladesh’s legal systems and return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. "If India respects international norms and rules, and international order, then India as a friendly neighbour, should respect Bangladesh’s legal systems," he said while responding to a question during a session at the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka. UN rights body regrets Hasina’s death sentence, calls verdict important for victims Muniruzzaman said Hasina's trial has gone through all international standards legal systems under which she was convicted.  "And that's a legal system that should be respected by all our neighbours," he added. If that respect is there, Muniruzzaman said, by all accounts she should be returned to Bangladesh. The security analyst said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty and India is almost legally bound to send Hasina back to Bangladesh under the treaty. He wanted to know what would be India's reaction if Bangladesh was housing a number of Indians and did not return them after a request made by New Delhi to Dhaka. If that is the case, Muniruzzaman said, anybody convinced under Bangladesh's law by international standards, India is legally bound to send him or her bank to Bangladesh.  "And by all those accounts, we demand that New Delhi sends her (Hasina) back to Bangladesh," he said. Verdict in Rajuk plot graft case against Hasina, Putul on Nov 27

Bangladesh have climbed three places in the latest FIFA rankings, following a spirited draw against Nepal and a statement victory over regional rivals India. The year-ending rankings, released by FIFA within 24 hours of the close of the men’s international break, kept Spain firmly at the top. Bangladesh played two matches during the November FIFA window. Javier Cabrera’s side began with a 2–2 draw in last Thursday’s friendly against Nepal, before sealing a memorable 1–0 victory over India on Tuesday in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The results propelled Bangladesh to 180th position, a three-step rise from their previous ranking. India, by contrast, slid six places and now sit 142nd after the defeat. Spain, meanwhile, confirmed their place in next year’s World Cup with one win and one draw across two fixtures. Although they dropped a few points, the 2010 world champions remain atop the global standings. Argentina also held their ground, staying second after a 2–0 victory over Angola in their only match this month. There was no movement in the next two spots either, with France retaining third place and England anchored in fourth. Both sides enjoyed flawless campaigns in this month’s World Cup qualifiers, winning two matches each. Brazil had a mixed outing with a 2–0 win over Senegal followed by a 1–1 draw against Tunisia. The five-time world champions nonetheless climbed two places to fifth. Portugal and the Netherlands each slipped one spot, moving down to sixth and seventh respectively. Belgium remain eighth, while Germany and Croatia rose one position each to ninth and tenth. Italy endured another setback, falling three places to 12th. The four-time world champions, absent from the past two World Cups, now face renewed pressure as they look toward the playoffs to keep their 2026 hopes alive.