United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday called for deeper regional cooperation in trade, energy, technology, climate and maritime affairs to turn the Bay of Bengal into a region of shared prosperity. “Let the Bay of Bengal become a region where nations grow together, embrace mutual and reciprocal benefits, and citizens expand meaningful cooperation,” he said while inaugurating the fifth Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh’s strategic location, ports, waterways and coastal economy offered significant opportunities to connect the country with the wider world through shipping, fisheries, tourism, energy and regional supply chains. “Regionally, our shared geography should become a shared prosperity,” he said, stressing the need for deeper bilateral and multilateral engagement. Tarique said Bangladesh could expand cooperation with regional and global partners in trade, energy, education, technology, climate and maritime affairs, while opening new markets and creating more opportunities for young people. “We can build stronger cooperation based on equality, fairness and justice. Geography has brought us together; and we are confident that people-to-people ties can take us further,” he said. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh believes in dialogue, partnership and mutual respect and would protect its national interests and sovereignty while working positively with all regional and global partners. “Because peace and harmony are the foundation of shared prosperity and development,” he said.  

The fifth edition of the international conference, the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026, will begin in Dhaka on Saturday. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the three-day conference, being organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka. The conference will bring together more than 200 speakers, over 300 delegates, and more than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries Participants include former and present heads of state, ministers, diplomats, military experts, academics, researchers, journalists, business and investment leaders, human rights defenders, technology specialists, and representatives of international development organisations. CGS President Zillur Rahman formally announced the commencement of the conference at a media exchange held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon on Friday morning. “The Bay of Bengal is becoming increasingly important in the context of maritime security and regional geopolitics. As a vital link between South Asia and Southeast Asia, one of the key objectives of this initiative is to explore effective solutions to the challenges and opportunities rooted in the Bay,” he said.  

Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar entered Chattogram harbour on Friday following a 'successful transit' through the Bay of Bengal. This high-profile port call, part of the IOS SAGAR 2026 multinational deployment, is a testament to the steadfast partnership between the Indian Navy and the Bangladesh Navy, highlighting the strong bonds between the two neighbouring countries, said the government of India on Friday. The ship was welcomed into Bangladesh waters by BNS Ali Haider (F17) and was escorted to harbour. Upon arrival, the Commanding Officer (CO) of IOS Sagar will undertake a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, including calls on the Commander Chattogram Naval Area (COMCHIT), the Commander Bangladesh Naval Fleet (COMBAN), the Area Superintendant Dockyard (ASD). These interactions aim to consolidate the maritime exchanges between the two navies. The port visit of IOS Sagar features a robust itinerary of professional, social, and commemorative events which includes the following:- Welcome Reception COMCHIT will host a welcome reception on arrival evening for IOS SAGAR in company of the top brass from the Bangladesh Armed Forces. A deck reception will be hosted by IOS SAGAR the following evening to celebrate culmination of a successful port call at Chattogram. Commemoration and Honour Commanding officer IOS SAGAR would pay homage to the shared sacrifices in our collective history through a solemn wreath-laying ceremony scheduled at the Chattogram Commonwealth War Cemetery under the arrangement of COMCHIT. Operational Exchange Commanding Officer IOS SAGAR, will call on the Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) to discuss maritime logistics and port security. This will be followed by mutual ship visits, where personnel of Bangladesh Navy and international crew of IOS SAGAR will engage in professional cross deck visits. Training and Capacity Building The crew will visit the BNS ISSA KHAN Training Complex and the Bangladesh Naval Academy, fostering a deeper understanding of naval training methodologies and opportunities for mutual capacity building. Camaraderie and Sports Diplomacy A friendly football match between both the navies will highlight the esprit de corps shared between the two services. IOS Sagar’s presence in Chattogram is a practical manifestation of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative, demonstrating a shared commitment to a secure and stable Indian Ocean Region.

The well-marked low over southwest Bay of Bengal weakened into a low pressure area over Southwest Bay and adjoining central Bay of Bengal. It is likely to move northeastwards, said a regular bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Monday. Besides, the Ridge of Sub-continental high extends up to Bihar and adjoining area. According to the Met office bulletin, rain or thunder showers is likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna and Rajshahi divisions. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Night temperature may rise slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.    

The European Union (EU) has said Bangladesh is a ‘key partner’ for the European Union in the Bay of Bengal and wider Indo-Pacific. The Council of the European Union (EU) underlined that the EU and the Indo-Pacific face increasingly complex security challenges. The Council of the EU considers that the EU should continue and further intensify its strategic focus, presence, visibility and actions in the Indo-Pacific with the aim of contributing to their joint stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, underpinned by the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international law. The EU will reinforce its role as a reliable actor bringing added value to long-standing relations with all partners in the region. This is especially relevant as the EU has a geographic presence in the Indo-Pacific through its outermost regions and overseas countries and territories. The Council underlined its commitment to a closely coordinated political presence of the EU and Member States in the region. Bangladesh delegation visits Algeria to strengthen cooperation Building on three successful EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Fora (Paris 2022, Stockholm 2023 and Brussels 2024), the Council said it looks forward to the Fourth EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum, to be convened by the High Representative in Brussels on November 20-21 November, a senior official told UNB. Those EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Fora constitute a unique platform for strategically interacting with audiences in both regions. They reflect the strong and shared interest of the EU and the Indo-Pacific partners in fostering concrete cooperation, including on a region-to-region basis, enhancing mutual security, prosperity and resilience and laying the foundations for an ever-more ambitious partnership. The EU Embassy in Dhaka has shared their latest policy document – newly issued by 27 Member states at the EU Foreign Affairs Council – which underlines how the European Union and Indo-Pacific are inter-linked and working in partnership on green and digital transition, trade and economic security, and security and defence. Bangladesh on track for ‘peaceful, inclusive’ polls: Prof Yunus tells IRI On October 20, the Council of the EU approved conclusions on the implementation of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific stressing that the EU should further intensify its strategic focus, presence, visibility and actions in the Indo-Pacific with the aim of contributing to our joint stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, underpinned by the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law. The EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was launched in September 2021, continues to provide a sound framework for EU engagement in a region spanning from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific islands. Important steps have been taken to implement the strategy in the seven key priority areas, both at the EU and member state level, with a particular focus on three core areas of engagement: security and defence challenges, the green and digital transition, and trade and economic security. The Council also reiterated its serious concerns about the current situation in both Afghanistan and Myanmar, and its unwavering commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the two-State solution. EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Fora constitutes a unique platform for strategically interacting with audiences in both regions, according to the EU. They reflect the strong and shared interest of the EU and the Indo-Pacific partners in fostering concrete cooperation, including on a region-to-region basis, enhancing mutual security, prosperity and resilience and laying the foundations for an ever more ambitious partnership.  

The 'Mother Ilish Conservation Campaign 2025' began across the country on October 4th and will run for 22 days until October 25th. During this period, the harvesting, transport, storage, buying, selling, and exchange of Ilish (Hilsa fish) are completely banned. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has made extensive preparations to protect the mother Ilish. Under the ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ initiative, Bangladesh Navy ships are conducting the 'Mother Ilish Conservation Campaign 2025' in the sea, coastal areas, and internal rivers of the country. They are already patrolling vast seas, coastal regions, and rivers from end to end. Beyond just patrolling, they are raising awareness among fishers through public announcements (mike-ing) and leaflet distribution to protect the mother Ilish. The Problem of Poaching and Unmet Goals Although Bangladeshi fishers adhere to the fishing ban to boost production by anchoring their boats at the ghats (docks), Indian fishers freely fish in the Bay of Bengal. While Bangladesh observes the ban, neighboring India’s territorial waters see unrestricted fishing during that time. Furthermore, Indian fishers often enter Bangladeshi waters and take away Ilish and all other types of fish. Consequently, the government’s ban aimed at increasing marine fish reproduction is not working and is failing to yield the desired results, a loss that is being complained about by the coastal fishers. The Debt Trap (Dadon) Tightens its Grip Coastal fishers are already trapped in the chains of poverty, which forces them to turn to Mahajons (money lenders/wholesalers). Though their profession starts with an advance known as Dadon (loan), the fishers get caught in a vicious cycle. Until the debt is fully repaid, they must supply the Ilish they catch, often risking their lives, to that specific Mahajon at a low price. While this changes the fortune of the wholesaler or Mahajon, the fisher's life remains stuck in the complex web of Dadon. This Dadon system, which harks back to the advance payment scheme British East India Company once used to trap indigo farmers, is now perpetuated by the fish wholesalers and Mahajons. Millions of people on the coast are involved in fishing, and most are caught in this Dadon maze. This system benefits the wholesalers, giving them an opportunity to form new Ilish syndicates. On the other hand, it has brought extreme despair to the fishers. The lives of those who supply the silver Ilish become colorless due to the Dadon trap.

The Depression over Westcentral Bay and adjoining area   moved northwestwards, intensified into a Deep Depression over Westcentral Bay and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal (near lat. 16.9°N and long. 86.0°E), according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Thursday. It was centered at 6am on Thursday about 875 km southwest of Chattogram port, 830 km southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 735 km southwest of Mongla port and 740 km southwest of Payra port, according to third special weather bulletin of the met office. It is likely to move north­ northwestwards direction further. Under its influence, steep pressure gradient persists over North Bay. Gusty or squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, reads the bulletin. Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 km of the depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain rough near the Deep Depression centre. Depression weakens into well-marked low: BMD Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No-3. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice, so that they can take shelter within a short notice.

A low pressure area is likely to form over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining area around on august 13, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) updates on Monday morning. Monsoon is less active over Bangladesh and moderate over the North Bay. The axis of monsoon troughs runs through Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across northern part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to North Bay. Moreover, the BMD has forecast light to moderate rain at many places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions in next 24 hours commencing 9am on Monday. Fresh low pressure area likely over Bay of Bengal on July 24: BMD ”Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions; at a few places over Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions and at one or two places over Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions,” according to the BMD. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

A low pressure area is likely to form over the North Bay on July 24, according the Bangladesh Meteorological Department(BMD). Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over the North Bay, said a Met office bulletin. The axis of monsoon troughs runs through Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across Northern part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to the North Bay. Typhoon Wipha disrupts flights, uproots trees across Hong Kong and Southern China Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rajshahi & Khulna divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over Mymensingh, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions.

The low-pressure area over North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh intensified into a well-marked low first, then into a land depression, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) update on Tuesday morning. Currently it lies over Central part of Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining area. The axis of monsoon troughs runs through Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, center of Depression to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to North Bay. Monsoon is active over western part and fairly active elsewhere over Bangladesh and Strong over North Bay, reads it. Meanwhile, a light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and at many places over Dhaka, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Tuesday, according to the BMD. Low pressure over North Bay: Signal No. 3 hoisted at seaports Day temperature may fall slightly over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and it may rise slightly elsewhere over the country. Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Jashore experienced the highest 143 millimeters of rainfall in the last 24 hours till 6am. The country’s highest temperature 34.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Sylhet over the past 24 hours till 6pm on Monday while the lowest temperature 24 degree Celsius was recorded in Tangail till 6am on Tuesday.