United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to work closely with Belarus to further strengthen the existing friendly relations. Non-resident Ambassador of Belarus to Bangladesh Mikhail Kasko paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently and discussed issues of mutual interest. Both sides held productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas, including agriculture, defence, textiles and RMGs, skilled and semi-skilled labour migration, IT sector, pharmaceuticals, and jute, the Ministry said. They also emphasised the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts to further solidify the foundation of bilateral relations. Ambassador Kasko congratulated the State Minister on assuming office and conveyed the readiness of Belarus government to work with the new government of Bangladesh. Both sides agreed that different bilateral mechanisms, including Foreign Office Consultations, should be held more frequently to expedite discussions and advance cooperation in identified priority areas. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the warm and friendly exchanges and reaffirming their shared commitment to further deepen and broaden Bangladesh-Belarus relations in the coming years.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on Monday told Parliament that the current government has taken a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country. “The present government has a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country as per its election manifesto. There will be arrangements for the development of cricket under this plan,” he said while replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Mohammed Fakhrul Islam (Noakhali-5) in the House. Earlier, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, tabled the question-and-answer session at the outset of Monday’s sitting. The state minister also said the government has initiated the process of undertaking a project titled "Construction of an International Standard Sports Tourism Complex in Cox's Bazar District". Under this project, an international standard cricket stadium will be constructed in Cox's Bazar district, he said. Besides, a plan has been taken to build an international standard cricket stadium in Purbachal, Dhaka, said Aminul Haque.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said Bangladesh expects its vessels including MV Banglar Joyjatra to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz. “We expect all ships, including MV Banglar Joyjatra, to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz. The energy ministry (Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry) will know better,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. On April 21, the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka said it will continue its efforts to facilitate the safe passage of Bangladeshi vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and has also facilitate the safe evacuation of 186 Bangladeshi nationals from Iran via Azerbaijan. The Embassy, in a press statement, called upon all concerned to refrain from any actions or statements that may create misperceptions, and to uphold the spirit of mutual respect that governs the enduring ties between the two brotherly nations. Iran reiterates its firm commitment to strengthening the close and amicable relations between the two nations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has appreciated Portugal’s continued support in hosting a significant number of Bangladeshi expatriates and called for the expanded recruitment of both skilled and semi-skilled workers. She underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral trade including increasing Bangladesh’s exports of jute and jute-based products to the EU market, and invited greater Portuguese investment. The State Minister met Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ana Isabel Xavier 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 also discussed enhancing cooperation in areas such as sports, culture and women’s empowerment, and exchanged views on addressing the Rohingya crisis.

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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday urged the people to remain cautious and not be misled by misinformation circulating on social media, clarifying that recently shared photocards attributed to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam are entirely false. The MoFA noticed fabricated photocards that were circulated online falsely quoting the State Minister. One such card claims, “We must approach India with submission, just as we now rely on them even for oil. Shouting slogans like ‘Delhi or Dhaka’ is meaningless. We need to understand that if we antagonise India, our very existence could be at risk." The Ministry firmly said these claims are baseless, misleading, and deliberately fabricated. It emphasised that the State Minister has never made such remarks. “Therefore, everyone is requested not to be confused by this misinformation and rumor,” the MoFA said. In fact, the State Minister said Bangladesh’s foreign policy is guided by a “Bangladesh first” principle. “We will maintain relations with all countries and governments while safeguarding the interests of the people of Bangladesh. Bangladesh will stand firm and continue to engage, communicate, and foster friendly relations with all nations," the MoFA quoted her as saying.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said that human trafficking must be stopped and those involved in such inhumane activities must face exemplary punishment. “The long-term solution is how human trafficking can be prevented. We must find a way. It cannot be allowed. This does not fall under any definition of civilisation,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister said traffickers must be punished under both domestic and international laws. Govt prioritises safety of Bangladeshis abroad amid Middle East tensions: State Minister At least 18 Bangladeshis died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea through a risky and illegal route, trying to reach Greece via Libya. International media, quoting the Greek coastguard, reported that 22 migrants died off the coast of Greece while attempting to reach Europe. Another 26 survived the ordeal and were rescued by a European border agency vessel near the island of Crete. Officials said the survivors included a woman and a minor, adding that those in need of medical care were transferred to hospitals. Among the survivors, 21 were Bangladeshi citizens, four were from South Sudan, and one was a Chadian national. The boat had been at sea for six days after departing from Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21. The city is widely seen by migrants as a gateway to seeking asylum in the European Union. “We are yet to receive details. Our missions are in constant communication with the authorities there (Greece). The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment is also aware of the situation. We are working together to ensure proper support for those who were rescued,” the State Minister said. She described the incident as extremely unfortunate, noting that people are engaging in such inhumane acts for financial gain. Those rescued have been taken either to hospitals or camps, she added. Need to Complete Certain Procedures Responding to a question about repatriating the bodies and survivors, the State Minister said it would take some time. “We need to complete certain procedures. In such incidents, governments become particularly sensitive,” she said. The State Minister said the priority is to assess the condition of the survivors, confirm their identities, and complete proper verification before taking further steps, including assistance and repatriation. She said Bangladesh embassies in Athens and Libya remain active in dealing with the situation and are continuing investigations. “We have received preliminary information from our missions,” the State Minister said, adding that they suspect that trafficking networks are operating both in Bangladesh and Libya. She said these groups lure people with false promises and put their lives at risk. The State Minister said citizens from a number of countries were on board, calling it particularly tragic that a woman and a child were among them. “Our missions are working to gather more details,” she added. The State Minister said she has instructed the relevant missions to investigate and identify those responsible. “We are facing a harsh global reality. People in many countries feel insecure for various reasons. In such circumstances, exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit through inhumane means is deeply unfortunate,” she said. The number of migrants who have died trying to reach EU soil more than doubled in the first two months of 2026, compared with last year, the EU border agency Frontex said earlier this month.

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

The Ministry of Finance on Tuesday dismissed as baseless a Facebook event created in the name of State Minister for Finance Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, urging the public not to be misled by rumours circulating on social media. According to an official press release, the event was created on Facebook using the state minister’s name under the title: “Torch procession led by Jonaed Saki demanding the resignation of the Home Minister over the alleged harassment of a University of Dhaka student by Ramna Zone Police DC Masud at Suhrawardy Udyan.” Finance Minister Khosru pledges ‘revolutionary’ shift in economy, stock market The ministry clarified that the state minister has no involvement whatsoever with the event and described it as entirely fabricated and misleading. Officials said the event falsely claimed that Saki would lead a torch procession at Suhrawardy Udyan in protest against an alleged incident involving a student of the University of Dhaka. The ministry stressed that the event was created without his knowledge, consent, or authorisation. In the statement, State Minister Saki urged citizens not to believe or spread such false and unverified information. Economic policy to be inclusive and fair, says new finance minister He also called on social media users to remain cautious and responsible while engaging with online content. “The public is requested to stay alert and not to be misled by rumours and baseless posts using my name,” he said through the press release.