United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday said there is no scope for Bangladesh to send a government representative to the BRICS Summit, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation was instead extended to the BIMSTEC Chair. “How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?” he told reporters, ruling out the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attending the BRICS Summit. Responding to a question at the Foreign Service Academy, Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India cannot be a multilateral visit. He said the government is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive, stressing that Bangladesh is placing greater emphasis on a bilateral visit by the Prime Minister and discussions. Kobir said such a bilateral visit will take place when the environment is conducive and mutual respect is maintained. “There is no need to rush things.” Responding to a question about the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, the State Minister said, “Wherever our national interest is involved, we will act with importance and competence. We will prioritise the interests and well-being of our country.” In April 2025, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development. BIMSTEC consists of seven member countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. On August 4, India confirmed that an invitation had been extended to Prime Minister Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year. “You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi recently. As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. “The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner,” the MEA spokesperson said. BRICS member states and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will attend the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi, India, on September 12-13. The United Nations in India confirmed his participation in a post on its verified Facebook page on Wednesday. As BRICS Chair 2026, India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Summit will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees. India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of “Humanity First.” In addition to these areas, the leaders will exchange views on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and share perspectives on global and regional matters of mutual importance. Under India’s Chairship this year, over 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held in over 25 cities across India to further strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership across three fundamental pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, said the host country. Through these engagements, as well as business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives, India’s BRICS Chairship has contributed to advancing BRICS cooperation through practical and development-oriented outcomes. India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held its Chairship three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2021. India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026. The year 2026 also marks a significant milestone as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Wednesday said keeping the Strait of Hormuz open does not depend on just one single party, stressing that there are a range of complex issues involved and multiple actors are engaged in the conflict. “Look, keeping the Strait of Hormuz open does not depend on the decision of any single party. There are a range of complex issues involved, and multiple parties are directly or indirectly engaged in the conflict in the region. So, it is not a matter of isolating one party and depending on that one party to decide whether the strait will remain open or closed. That is not the case,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister said Bangladesh has reiterated its call for de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and sought a solution to the problem through dialogue under a de-escalation framework. Kobir expressed Bangladesh’s hope for an early end to tensions in the region and lasting peace and stability in the interest of the people of the region and beyond. He also highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Bangladesh and Iran, saying people-to-people exchanges and bilateral relations between Dhaka and Tehran date back to the period following Bangladesh’s independence. The two sides also exchanged views on cultural cooperation, he said. Iran conveyed to Bangladesh that there is “no problem and difficulty” from Iran’s side regarding the shipment of LNG, gas and fuel to Bangladesh, while blaming the US for creating difficulties surrounding energy supplies. “From the side of Iran, there is no problem and difficulty for shipment of your LNG, gas and fuel,” Ambassador of Iran to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to questions from journalists. Earlier, he paid a courtesy call on State Minister-1 for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest. The Iranian envoy identified what he described as two major realities behind the continuation of the difficulties - the impact of US attacks and the continuation of what he called the American blockade against Iran. “From the side of Iran, there’s no problem. The problem is caused by Americans,” the Ambassador said. Bangladesh stressed that the safety and wellbeing of some 8 million Bangladeshis living and working across the region remain a top priority. The State Minister discussed recent developments and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, along with the safety of Bangladeshi nationals and the movement of Bangladesh-bound cargo. “We have reiterated our call for de-escalation. This has always been our consistent diplomatic position - to seek de-escalation of the conflict,” Kobir said. He said Bangladesh has urged all sides to engage in dialogue, resolve their differences through diplomatic means and work toward a permanent and peaceful resolution. “As you know, we have a large diaspora in the Middle East - approximately 8 million people of Bangladeshi origin working throughout the region. Their well-being and safety are of paramount importance to us,” he said. Kobir said Bangladesh would continue to work with countries in the region on issues affecting its relations with the Middle East, particularly the safety of Bangladeshi citizens. He expressed gratitude to Iran for helping Bangladesh evacuate some of its citizens who had been stranded in Tehran. “On behalf of the Prime Minister (Tarique Rahman), I expressed our gratitude to them and appreciated their supportive initiatives,” the State Minister said. The meeting also covered Bangladesh’s security cooperation and defence-related engagements in the Middle East, including its long-standing maritime cooperation with Saudi Arabia in addressing security challenges posed by the Houthis. “This cooperation is vital because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the custodian of the two holy mosques. Iran understands our position clearly in this regard,” Kobir said. He, however, made Bangladesh’s position regarding the conflict with Iran clear. “Our position is clear: we do not support, participate in, or call for any aggression or attacks against Iran,” he said. “Our role is strictly limited to supporting Saudi Arabia in addressing the security challenges posed by the Houthis,” Kobir added. The State Minister said Bangladesh also requested that its stranded cargo containers be given priority once a peaceful resolution is reached and the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is de-escalated. Asked about the movement of Bangladeshi ships and energy vessels affected by the disruption, Kobir said the situation was affecting vessels from many countries, not Bangladesh alone. “It is not just Bangladesh; vessels from many nations across the world are currently affected,” he said. “However, regarding Bangladesh's specific interests, we conveyed that as soon as the Strait of Hormuz reopens, our shipments and containers should be facilitated and prioritized as early as possible,” Kobir said.

Bangladesh on Thursday requested Qatar to accord priority to the supply of LNG to Bangladesh as soon as the Strait of Hormuz reopens and maritime movement resumes. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir met with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi on the sidelines of the 23rd OIC Extraordinary CFM in Jeddah and made the request. The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for Qatar’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and commended Qatar’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and regional peace and stability. The Qatari State Minister thanked Bangladesh for its support and expressed Qatar’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. They also discussed some other bilateral issues, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.