United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday said the feasibility study on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) will continue from where it left off, stressing that no progress was made on it during the interim government or before its tenure. "The feasibility study is in the same state as when it was started. There has been no progress. It was not carried out during the interim period, nor was it done before the interim period," she told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shama Obaed said China has agreed to provide Bangladesh with the technical support needed to conduct the feasibility study. "Besides Teesta, we have challenges in river management across the country. China also wants to help and support us in that area. That is the assistance China wants to provide," she said. Bangladesh and China have agreed to expedite a joint feasibility study on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP). If the feasibility study justifies the project, China will extend adequate support for its implementation. Seeking deeper cooperation with Bangladesh in integrated water resources management, China has decided to provide support "within its capacity" for the TRCMRP. The Chinese side will also support experts from both countries in expediting the feasibility study of the project and related work, according to a joint statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as integrated water resources management, water resources planning, hydrological forecasting, flood prevention and disaster reduction, river dredging, and related technology sharing. Shama Obaed said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China has certainly taken Bangladesh-China relations to a new height. "Bangladesh's relations with China have always been good. China has always been a strong partner in our economic and social development. In the coming days, it will invest even more," said the State Minister. She expressed hope that Chinese investment in Bangladesh will increase further. "New investments will come, and we are certainly reviewing the proposals made by the Chinese government, including the two-plus-two meeting and the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor," she said. Shama Obaed said the government has maintained from the very beginning that Bangladesh's foreign policy will safeguard the interests of its people while keeping their needs at the forefront.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday said the people of Bangladesh want former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extradited, and efforts are underway to bring her back to the country to face trial. "Of course, we should bring her back to Bangladesh and complete the trial. That is what the people of Bangladesh want. Work is underway for that purpose," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when asked about Hasina's recent remarks. The State Minister, however, said there is no new update, as the process is still underway. Responding to another question, Shama Obaed said that, from Bangladesh's perspective, the country maintains relations with all nations, and each relationship is unique. "We will have relations with China. We will have relations with all countries. And I don't think that if relations with one country are good, relations with another country will be bad," she said. The State Minister said the government's goal is to safeguard Bangladesh's national interests by maintaining good relations with all countries. "This is our goal," she added. Reiterating its desire to engage constructively, India on April 17 said they are examining the request for former Hasina’s extradition as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. "There is a request.....the request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi, noting that they will continue to engage constructively on the issue with all the stakeholders. Bangladesh, on April 8, reiterated its request to extradite Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to Bangladesh, who have been awarded death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal. "We will continue to seek her extradition through a transparent judicial process. It (the extradition request) has been discussed. It will be dealt with through a transparent judicial process," Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir told reporters recently in Dhaka.

Honouring the memory of the victims of the July 1 terrorist attack, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday said terrorism can never be justified on political, religious, ideological, or any other grounds. "Our Government remains steadfast in its determination to confront terrorism and violent extremism in all spheres," she said, noting that such forces have no place in Bangladesh and will never be allowed to undermine the country's peace and stability. The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism with zero tolerance in all its forms and manifestations. The government of Bangladesh and diplomats from India, Japan, Italy, and the United States remembered the victims of the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery, where 24 people, including nine Italians, lost their lives. Paying tribute to the victims, they recalled the efforts by the Government of Bangladesh in fighting terrorism and its achievements in this domain. On July 1, 2016, the brutal terrorist attack occurred at the Holey Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan diplomatic area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, claiming the lives of 24 individuals alongside six attackers. The 12-hour siege was one of the deadliest in the country's history. Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro hosted the commemoration ceremony at his residence in the afternoon, marking the 10th anniversary. "Let us not forget... never again," he said, thanking everyone for joining the commemoration of 10 years after that brutal terrorist attack.

Bangladesh and Sweden on Wednesday underscored the importance of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to enhance bilateral trade. The two sides discussed avenues for diversifying and strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, telecommunication, technology, cybersecurity, skills development, human rights, people-to-people exchange, climate change, and peace and security. The issues were discussed when Director and Head of Department for Asia, the Pacific Region and Latin America at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Daniel Wolven paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Daniel Wolven congratulated Shama Obaed on her election and assumption of the role as the state minister for foreign affairs. The state minister described Sweden as a trusted and long-standing partner of Bangladesh and appreciated its support for Bangladesh’s socio-economic development, gender equality, and climate resilience. She also outlined various initiatives of the government, including creative economy and provisions in the budget of FY2026-27, for women empowerment and gender equality. Citing the long-standing ties and economic impact of the development cooperation, Daniel Wolven said Sweden will continue its development cooperation to Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday urged the media not to give undue importance to reports regarding Prime Minister’s foreign visits until an official announcement is made by the government. "Invitations have come from many countries. It is the Prime Minister's decision as to how, when and to which country he will make a visit," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid media reports that claimed the Prime Minister will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 before he travels to China later this month. The State Minister said news reports published by different media outlets regarding the Prime Minister's possible visits should not be treated as confirmed information in the absence of an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office. "Newspapers publish their own reports, and you do the same. But until there is an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office regarding the visit of the Prime Minister, I do not think such reports should be taken seriously, nor should I comment on them," she said. The State Minister said details of any foreign visit by the Prime Minister would be formally announced by the Prime Minister's press wing once the visit is finalised. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relations with all countries and said the Prime Minister would take the appropriate decision regarding future visits.

Amid speculation over a likely defence deal with the United States, Bangladesh on Saturday said any deal - whether with the US or any other country - will only be signed when the government and relevant agencies determine that the interests of the country and its people are protected. “Decisions regarding defence deals will not just come from the MoFA. There are relevant agencies where discussions take place and decisions are made. I can’t tell you now from this (MoFA) ministry at what stage this remains,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter drew her attention to a defence deal with the US. A section of media reported that Bangladesh and the US have agreed to reinforce defence cooperation, with both countries advancing negotiations on two long-discussed foundational agreements - the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). “I am reiterating that any agreement, whether with the United States or any other country, will only be signed after the government and all relevant agencies, through consultations, determine that it serves the interests of the country and its people. Beyond that, no deal is expected to be signed,” the State Minister further explained. The GSOMIA is a foundational government-to-government bilateral agreement that will permit greater collaboration and sharing of classified military information in the form of intelligence and classified information US defence equipment, a diplomatic source told UNB. GSOMIA is a reciprocal, legally binding agreement that ensures governments understand and commit to protecting classified military information at an equivalent level of security. The State Minister paid a brief visit to Washington, D.C. on May 18 and met senior US government officials at the Department of State and senior leaderships of International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Atlantic Council. The State Minister met US Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) S Paul Kapur at the State Department. During the meeting, both the Bangladesh State Minister and the US Assistant Secretary expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of Bangladesh-US relations. They reaffirmed commitment to further strengthening the partnership across various aspects of mutual interests including trade, energy, defense, Rohingya crisis, Indo-Pacific and people-to-people contact. They underscored the importance of regular high-level dialogues to maintain momentum in the growing relationship. The meeting was preceded by another meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Andrew Veprek at the bureau’s office. During the meeting, the State Minister thanked the United States government for their continued support to the Rohingya cause. Both the State Minister and the Assistant Secretary (PRM) agreed to work together to ensure sustainable and safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for enhanced Japanese investment in key sectors including renewable energy, ICT, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing and manufacturing. The State Minister held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Onishi Yohei on the sidelines of the ‘Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa’ held in Dakar, Senegal on April 20, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. They discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, technology, skills development and people-to-people exchanges. The State Minister expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support in addressing the Rohingya crisis and sought further assistance to facilitate their early and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam will represent Bangladesh at Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security, which will be held in Senegal from April 19–22. The State Minister left Dhaka for Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday morning to attend the Forum, said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is expected to return to Bangladesh on April 24.

The High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh, Ajit Singh, on Monday met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and discussed issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, the two sides emphasised the importance of sustained partnerships and continued collaboration on various aspects of bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh. Rapists have no political identity, offenders will face law: Shama Obaed