Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said Bangladesh had to accept over 60,000 Rohingyas under certain circumstances through various unofficial channels, including border-related corruptions, despite its decision in principle not to allow any new arrival from Myanmar. “We had a position in principle that no new arrival one will be allowed. No one was allowed formally. Another thing we need to keep in mind that there is huge corruption in the border. And it is true,” he said while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his recent informal consultation at the ministerial level among Myanmar and its five neighbouring countries. The six-nation consultation was held in Bangkok on Thursday under the chairmanship of the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. The meeting was attended, among others, by Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Swe. Bangladesh must address pressing challenges, seize opportunities: Foreign Adviser Responding to a question, Hossain said the Rohingyas are not entering Bangladesh through a single route; they are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop. Asked about a potential new influx of Rohingya refugees, he dismissed such possibility. "I do not believe another influx will occur, although many are concerned. We too share these concerns, but we must take measures to prevent it, working with the international community," Hossain said. Meanwhile, speaking at a seminar on Sunday morning, Adviser Hossain said they are aware of the civil war situation currently prevailing in Myanmar, and the 1.2 million Rohingyas who were forcibly displaced from the Rakhine state under extreme atrocities, and are sheltered in Bangladesh for the last 7 plus years. There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh, he said. Referring to his meeting in Bangkok, the Foreign Adviser said, "I told them in no uncertain terms that peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the Rohingyas lodged in Myanmar can go back to their homes with security and rights." It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return, he said. “I had the scope to talk in details as it was an informal discussion and I explained our position clearly,” Hossain told reporters at the foreign ministry.     Take action-orinted initiatives, harness technology: Prof Yunus tells D-8 members “If Rohingya problem is not resolved, peace and stability that you are thinking of will never be achieved,” he said, while conveying Bangladesh’s position during the meeting in Bangkok. Hossain also said if the Rohingyas, mostly young people, cannot be given a hope and if no light is seen at the end of the tunnel, they will become desperate and they will do desperate activities. “I made it clear to them.” The Foreign Adviser said offenders are on the both sides of the border and in the Rohoingya camps and they made huge money through illegal activities. If these issues are not addressed, peace cannot be achieved, he said.  Hossain informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under their control; rather it is now controlled by non-state actors like the Arakan Army. “As a state, we cannot engage with a non-state actor. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine." In Bangkok, Hossain reiterated the call for a "comprehensive roadmap" for Rohingya repatriation with priority attached to ensuring stability in Rakhine State. Dhaka seeks ‘comprehensive roadmap’ for Rohingya repatriation He urged ASEAN and other key regional actors to play a further proactive role in restoring peace, security, and democracy in Myanmar. “Bangladesh has every interest to see lasting peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar, and a conducive environment in Rakhine State for the Rohingya to have confidence to go back there in safety and dignity," Hossain affirmed.

Stressing that peace and harmony among littoral states are crucial to unlocking the Bay of Bengal's potential, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasised on Sunday that Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," Adviser Hossain said while speaking at a seminar in the capital. He laid emphasis on their collective task to align diverse interests, ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention; and a model for sustainable and inclusive development. India supports democratic, inclusive Bangladesh: MEA Spokesperson Supported by the Embassy of Japan, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) hosted the international seminar on "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interests" at the BIISS auditorium. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori delivered a speech at the seminar, with the first working session chaired by Tarik A Karim, Chairperson of the Bay of Bengal Institute, Cosmos Foundation. Other speakers included Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman of BIISS, and Major General Iftekhar Anis, Director General of BIISS. With its strategic location and growing industrial base, the Adviser said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain.  In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities, he said. As Bangladesh approaches its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026, Adviser Hossain said, it stands at a critical juncture, facing both significant opportunities and complex challenges. The impending loss of preferential trade benefits and concessional financing necessitates a shift towards more competitive and innovative economic strategies. "To address these challenges effectively, Bangladesh must prioritise diversifying its trade portfolio, elevating the quality and value of its exports, and investing in advanced technologies to drive productivity and economic growth," Hossain said. Partnerships with regional and extra-regional stakeholders, particularly Japan, can provide the technological and financial support needed for Bangladesh to overcome these hardships, he said. Japan’s expertise in areas such as renewable energy, digital trade, and maritime logistics can play a transformative role in this context, said the Adviser, adding that the Bay of Bengal is not only an economic resource but also an ecological treasure. FS requests Canadian envoy to expedite visa processing for Bangladeshi nationals Therefore, he said, preserving its marine biodiversity and addressing some pressing challenges such as climate change, illegal fishing, and maritime security are essential for the long-term prosperity in this region. "We are aware of the civil war situation currently prevailing in Myanmar, and the 1.2 million Rohingyas who were forcibly displaced from the Rakhine state under extreme atrocities, and are sheltered in Bangladesh for the last 7 plus years," Hossain said. There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh, he said. The Adviser is just back from an informal consultation in Bangkok at the invitation of the Thai Foreign Minister, where the Foreign Ministers of Myanmar and Laos, Deputy Foreign Minister of China and the Indian Foreign Secretary were present. "I told them in no uncertain terms that peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the Rohingyas lodged in Myanmar can go back to their homes with security and rights," Hossain said.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis called on Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the latter’s office here on Thursday. During the meeting, they discussed different avenues of cooperation and partnership between Bangladesh and the UN in achieving shared goals. Singapore companies keen to invest in Bangladesh: Minister Fu Discussions also touched upon ongoing collaborative efforts to address the Rohingya crisis.  

Bangladesh has expressed strong discontent over what it calls "misleading statements" by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of the United Kingdom regarding deaths and minority issues in the country. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this sentiment to British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.  “I told her (British High Commissioner to Bangladesh) that we are very hurt because there has been an attempt to show that there have been more deaths after August 5. This is completely false,” he told reporters after his meeting with High Commissioner Cooke. Hossain said he invited her to his office to present Bangladesh’s position and requested her to relay the actual situation on the ground. The adviser shared two incidents—two members of the British Parliament delivered speeches on the minority situation in Bangladesh on November 2. Chief Justice pays courtesy call on Chief Adviser He informed the UK High Commissioner about misinformation in those speeches. Apart from that, some British-based organizations have presented some information that does not reflect the authentic on-the-ground information.  “Members of Parliament can say whatever they want; there is nothing anyone can do here. But I have requested the British High Commissioner to inform the British government of Bangladesh's position on this issue,” Hossain said. In response, Cooke assured the adviser that she would pass on the message and suggested that Bangladesh’s mission in London could also take steps to communicate the accurate narrative, he said. Chinese envoy meets BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Hossain shared with the High Commissioner that nearly 1,500 people were killed before August 5, and the statement completely misrepresented the events of the July-August uprising. The Foreign Adviser also said that some incidents may have occurred after August 5. “However, the way it has been portrayed is not correct. It’s absolutely not correct.”  

Amid intensified diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Saturday said they expect to establish a good relationship with India accepting the reality in the context of the post-August 5 changed situation. “We want to remain optimistic that we would be able to establish a good relationship with India making sure that both sides’ interests are protected,” he said, flagging issues of water sharing and border killings which remain unaddressed. The Adviser was speaking at a roundtable titled “Bangladesh-India Relations: Expectations, Barriers and Future.” The South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) and the Department of Political Science & Sociology (PSS), North South University hosted the event at the syndicate hall of NSU. Hossain said Bangladesh had some concerns and there are still some concerns that remain unaddressed while the previous government tried its best to address the concerns of India. He believes that India will proceed realising the changed situation but acknowledged that there are barriers which are normal in any relationship. “There is a change in the relations after August 5. This is reality.”    India closely monitoring situation related to minorities in Bangladesh: Jaishankar tells Lok Sabha Talking about water-sharing issues, Hossain said there has been no progress over the Teesta water-sharing treaty. “We would want to see progress there.” Regarding border killings, the adviser said they always spoke strongly about such incidents and he even talked about it face to face with the Indian officials. “This (border killing) is no way acceptable.” Hossain said this is the only border (Bangladesh-India border) in the world where people are shot to death despite the fact that the two countries are not involved in a war. “It’s not seen anywhere in the world." He said India has to fix it and if anyone commits crimes, they can be tried in court. “Why should they be killed?" Hossain said the Indian media dangerously and aggressively engaged against Bangladesh since August 5 and the role they have played is in no way conducive to maintaining a normal relationship between Bangladesh and India. “They (Indian media) know why they are doing this. Here, our media has a role to play,” said the adviser, highlighting the importance of fact-checking and bringing up the facts as well as proper coverage of the foreign ministry statements. India urges Bangladesh to ensure safety of Hindus, other minorities “It’s absolutely your decision (Bangladesh media’s coverage on MoFA statements). I am not saying that you have to do this but I am talking about people’s desire,” Hossain said. The adviser highlighted the importance of national consensus on foreign policy and noted that Bangladesh could not gain much due to lack of national consensus. He said India needs to address Bangladesh's concerns and would help improve the relations between the neighbours. Hossain said Bangladesh also needs to enhance its capacity both domestically and internationally with skilled human resources, and questioned the quality of education in some rural institutions from where many are getting degrees without learning anything. According to him, at least five percent of the GDP should go to the education sector consistently. "Bangladeshis working in the Middle East are paid much less than that of the other countries just because of the lack of adequate skills and English communication ability," he added. The panelists of the roundtable were Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad, joint member secretary, AB Party, Saquib Ali, former diplomat, Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, former Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, Prof Dr Mohammad Abdur Rob, Vice-Chancellor, Manarat International University, and Dr SM Asaduzzaman Ripon, Vice Chairman, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The roundtable was chaired by Prof Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, North South University, and moderated by Dr M Jashim Uddin, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science & Sociology (PSS), North South University.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said they will take necessary steps and try to bring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back home as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today issued arrest warrant against her and top Awami League leaders. "We just have come to know this. We will try and take necessary preparations," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Warrant issued for arrest of Hasina, 45 others The adviser said they have one month time in hand. "I don't want to say anything further," he said when asked for further details. The International Crimes Tribunal also directed the authorities concerned to produce the 46 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, before it after arresting them by November 18.  

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy on Wednesday met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and both reflected on key areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. They mentioned areas of cooperation, including energy, food security, trade as well as multilateral issues of mutual importance.  Dr Yunus praises Russian cooperation in power, energy sectors During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Adviser congratulated the Ambassador for the successful completion of his tenure and expressed appreciation for his role in strengthening the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the Russian Federation.  The Ambassador thanked the government of Bangladesh for the support and cooperation extended during his tenure and expressed hope for strengthened ties between the two countries in future. The Adviser wished him success in his future endeavors.