United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh has sought the extradition of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, noting that a letter was sent to India through diplomatic channels seeking his extradition. "Since he is a fugitive, we have given the letter that is required for his return. It has been sent recently, addressing only the former Home Minister," she told reporters while responding to a question after attending a seminar in the city. Hasina will be arrested whenever she comes to Bangladesh: Shama Obaed The State Minister said it is an ongoing process and people wish to see the court orders implemented against those who have been convicted and are fugitives including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. She said the government wants a fair trial, and feedback on Dhaka's extradition request depends on India. "We will wait. We expect India will reply and will play its role in strengthening the relations between the two countries," Shama Obaed said. Responding to a question, she said normally extradition request letters are sent separately and that they are sending letters for all individuals who remain fugitives. The State Minister on Thursday said former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently staying in India, would be arrested whenever she comes to Bangladesh. "Since she has been convicted, there is no scope for surrender. Whenever she comes to Bangladesh, she will be arrested. It will be done in accordance with the law," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that efforts are continuing to secure her extradition to Bangladesh. The State Minister said the people of Bangladesh want court orders to be implemented against those living abroad. She said the Law Adviser and the Home Adviser had already explained the legal aspects. "If she surrenders, the existing law will be followed. She will have to go to jail. The law will take its own course," Shama Obaed told reporters on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She said Hasina's recent remarks from abroad appeared intended to encourage Awami League leaders and activists who have either gone into hiding or fled the country. "I see no other reason," she said. Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite Hasina under the bilateral extradition treaty. Bangladesh is making sustained diplomatic efforts to bring Hasina back to face trial while acknowledging that the extradition process takes time. Three ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have been pursuing the matter since the new government assumed office in February, building on efforts initiated under the interim government. The government believes the people of Bangladesh want Hasina to be extradited. On April 8, Bangladesh renewed its request for the extradition of Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both of whom have been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal. "We will continue to seek her extradition through a transparent judicial process. It has been discussed and will be dealt with through a transparent judicial process," Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir told reporters in Dhaka.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday urged business leaders to fully utilise the ample opportunities to expand mutually beneficial two-way trade and increase Bangladesh's exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. She highlighted the export potential of pharmaceuticals, jute and jute products, leather and leather products, ceramics, shrimp, tropical fruits, and IT products to the CIS region. Shama Obaed said the present government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been striving to widen and strengthen cooperation with promising but largely untapped regions, including Eastern Europe and the CIS countries. The State Minister emphasised trade diversification and investment promotion when the board of directors and office-bearers of the Commonwealth of Independent States-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CIS-BCCI) met her at her office.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday reaffirmed Bangladesh’s continued commitment to the BIMSTEC process and reiterated its resolve to further advance regional cooperation during Bangladesh’s Chairmanship of BIMSTEC. Reiterating to the government’s foreign policy priority of “Bangladesh First,” she underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in priority areas, including trade and investment, connectivity, energy, climate change, and people-to-people contacts, with a view to delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of the region. The issues were discussed when Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Indra Mani Pandey called on the State Minister Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh does not need to choose between SAARC and BIMSTEC, stressing that these platforms should complement each other, not compete with one another. “BIMSTEC connects South Asia with the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. SAARC represents the broadest South Asian regional identity, including countries that are not part of BIMSTEC,” she said while highlighting the relationship between SAARC and other regional or sub-regional platforms, particularly BIMSTEC. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar, the State Minister said sub-regional initiatives should not drain momentum away from SAARC; rather, they should become building blocks for wider regional cooperation.

Turkish Red Crescent President Dr Fatma Meriç Yılmaz on Monday profoundly lauded Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity for hosting the large number of Rohingya from Myanmar and continued humanitarian supports over the years by Bangladesh. The President of Turkish Red Crescent highlighted the Turkish humanitarian activities towards the Rohingyas in food support, education, primary and emergency medical care, sanitation, and training on skill development. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam discussed Bangladesh-Turkiye bilateral issues with the President of Turkish Red Crescent during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She extended deep appreciation to the visiting Turkish Red Crescent delegation and the significant humanitarian assistance by Turkiye for Rohingyas.

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.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said UNDP, United Nations' lead agency on international development, should work in integration of technology in Bangladesh especially the ethical use of the AI, help in tackling misinformation and disinformation. She also said Bangladesh, as proponent of SAARC, wants to revitalise its activities and urged UNDP to spread its young political delegates programme with the SAARC countries and engage women entrepreneurs. Opposition plays ‘very cooperative role’ in Parliament: Speaker tells UNDP Resident Representative The issues were discussed when Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh Stefan Liller met the State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. The discussion also touched upon continued collaboration with UNDP on issues related to LDC graduation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Liller, who is coming to the end of his tenure, reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to working closely with the new government of Bangladesh. While expressing thanks to UNDP for its role in support of the country’s general elections by providing technical assistance, among others, in registering 5.8 million new voters, the State Minister urged UNDP to support the government’s “Bangladesh First” vision and expressed the government’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with UNDP to achieve desired socio-economic goals for its people. The State Minister acknowledged the work carried out by the UNDP over the years working closely with the government in improving governance, trade, commerce and investment, climate action and adaptation, poverty alleviation etc.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has underscored Bangladesh’s renewed journey of democratic transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aimed at building a discrimination-free and prosperous nation anchored in stability, peace and security. She participated in a high-level panel at “Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa” on April 20. The panel was moderated by Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang and featured Yaou Sangaré Bakary, Foreign Minister of Niger, Mohamed Ali Nafti, Foreign Minister of Tunisia, Dr Morissanda Kouyaté, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea and Joao Cravinho, EU Special Representative for the Sahel region, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Shama Obaed thanks Algeria for cooperation in hydrocarbons sector     

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said their shared objective remains clear to ensure that migration is governed in a manner that upholds the dignity, protection, and rights of people on the move, while maximizing mutual benefits for countries of origin, transit, and destination alike. Speaking at a national preparatory consultation ahead of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, she said the consultation provides a valuable opportunity to reflect collectively on the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in implementing the Global Compact in Bangladesh. Shama Obaed credits govt for stable fuel prices amid global hike The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026 will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from May 4 to 8. “I hope that our discussions today will offer thoughtful insights and practical recommendations to further strengthen our policies and institutional frameworks,” said the State Minister. Speakers at the national consultation emphasised on the importance of inclusive dialogues in shaping effective migration policies and the need for continued collaboration and innovation in addressing migration challenges. They reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing safe, orderly, and regular migration through strengthened partnerships and policy coherence. The government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the Coordinator and Secretariat of the Bangladesh United Nations Network on Migration (BDUNNM) and with the support from the European Union (EU), convened the national preparatory consultation. The event brought together representatives from government ministries and departments, United Nations agencies, civil society, development partners, academia, and the private sector. The event, co-chaired by the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce, aimed to assess Bangladesh’s progress in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and to identify key priorities for the years ahead. Adopted in 2018, the GCM provides a comprehensive framework for international cooperation on migration. The IMRF serves as the global platform to review its implementation. Bangladesh has demonstrated strong commitment to the GCM through sustained policy engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The recent soft adaptation of the National Action Plan for GCM (2026–2030) marks a significant milestone in aligning national migration governance with global commitments, IOM said. Progress has been notable in areas such as labour migration, migrant protection, reintegration and addressing the diverse drivers of migration. State Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque said the consultation brings together government institutions, civil society, and development partners to take stock of our progress and identify priorities moving forward. “Through inclusive dialogue and coordinated action, we aim to ensure that migration continues to contribute to the well-being of our migrant workers and the sustainable development of our nation,” he said. Asad Alam Siam, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment; Giuseppe Loprete, Chief of Mission a.i. of IOM Bangladesh and Coordinator of BDUNNM; Jurate Smalskyte Merville, Counsellor, Team Leader of the Human Capital Development Team of EU; Giuseppe Di Giovanni, Migration Expert of the Embassy of Italy in Bangladesh; and Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE DF; spoke among others. The consultation featured thematic breakout sessions focusing on ensuring safe and regular migration pathways; strengthening rights-based border governance; enhancing migrant protection and integration; and promoting evidence-based policymaking and public discourse. These sessions provided a platform for participants to share good practices, lessons learned, and emerging priorities. Key recommendations from the discussions will inform Bangladesh’s national position and contributions at IMRF 2026.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday faced an oblique protest from the opposition in the Parliament for claiming that there is no energy crisis in the country. During the question-and-answer session, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Binquasem (Dhaka-14) in his supplementary question said three people have already been killed in disputes related to fuel purchase in the country and asked what role the Prime Minister has played to address the situation. He also criticised the Foreign Minister saying that he is traveling around the world and questioned what role the Foreign Minister plays in resolving the energy crisis.   13.6 lakh people aged above 15 enter job market every year: Khosru    In response, state minister Shama Obaed said, “Currently, there is no energy crisis in Bangladesh.” This remark triggered protest from the opposition bench lawmakers who reacted by thumping their desks with laughter in the House. At this stage, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, who was presiding over the session, requested the opposition MPs to be calm and asked the state minister to continue her speech. Shama Obaed said the Prime Minister sat with them on several occasions so that energy could be supplied from several alternative sources. She said the government is working to diversify energy import sources beyond the Middle East and is exploring alternative supply channels to maintain stable fuel supply in the country.