Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Şen and Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro on Tuesday met Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud separately and discussed issues of future cooperation. The Turkish Ambassador  highlighted the upcoming third conference of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 1-3 and hoped that Foreign Minister Hasan will actively join the Forum. Bangladesh requests Bhutan to consider rejoining BBIN initiative They discussed the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Bangladesh this year. In addition to discussing the war in Ukraine and Gaza, they discussed Rohingya repatriation, increasing migration of Bangladeshis to Turkey through legal channels, prevention of irregular migration, expansion of trade between the two countries. Ensure accountability for attacks on civilians in Myanmar: Fortify Rights The ambassador of Italy described the relationship with Bangladesh special and said that there are about 200,000 Bangladeshis who are playing a positive role in the economy of both countries. He also expressed interest in taking more Bangladeshis there through legal channels.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday requested the Ambassador of Bhutan to consider re-joining the BBIN initiative, which would pave the way for sub-regional cooperation in connectivity. The Foreign Minister also proposed exploring import of 'Pragati Industries'-made Jeep from Bangladesh. Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl met the Foreign Minister at his office and discussed the issues of mutual interest. Dhaka, Delhi agree on using non-lethal weapons to ensure zero border killing: FM Dr Hasan recalled the support from Bhutan from Bangladesh during the War of Liberation in 1971 and recognition to Bangladesh, on 6th December 1971, even before our final Victory on 16 December 1971. He noted that Bhutan has made inspiring progress in its socio-economic development under the able leadership of the Fourth and Fifth Kings. Dr Hasan expressed happiness on the existing relations with Bhutan. Cargo vessel movement between India's Maya and Rajshahi's Sultanganj begins He emphasized further collaboration between the two countries in the areas of power, trade and commerce, connectivity, education, agriculture, health and people-to-people contacts etc. The Foreign Minister stressed early signing of the MoU on power between Bangladesh and Bhutan as well as developing trilateral arrangement with India and Bhutan regarding generation and trading of power. The Bhutanese Ambassador congratulated Dr Hasan for his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.  The Bhutanese Ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for the importance Bangladesh places on the bilateral relationship. Swiss Ambassador holds ‘positive and constructive’ discussion with Foreign Minister He appreciated the wholehearted cooperation extended by Bangladesh, which is very much appreciated by the Government of Bhutan. He lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the development achieved under her guidance during the last 15 years. As a neighbor, Bhutan takes pride of Bangladesh’s recent achievements, he added. The Bhutanese Ambassador hoped that Bangladesh's continued development would pave the way for achieving the vision of "Sonar Bangla" soon, as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said both Bangladesh and India discussed using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killing to zero. "He (Indian FM) agreed with me that there will be no border killing if non-lethal weapons are used," Dr Hasan told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issue of border killings was discussed during his bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on February 7. Cargo vessel movement between India's Maya and Rajshahi's Sultanganj begins Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killing to zero. Dr Hasan emphasised on early conclusion of Teesta water sharing agreement, aiming to strengthen water cooperation between Bangladesh and India. He also stressed the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that will expire in 2026. Responding to a question on Teesta issue, Dr Hasan said the Indian central government has no problem regarding Teesta water sharing but the State government is not yet on-board. Swiss Ambassador holds ‘positive and constructive’ discussion with Foreign Minister He said the two countries take forward the discussion on Teesta water sharing after the India's elections in the coming months. Foreign Minister Hasan requested his Indian counterpart to withdraw tariff and non-tariff barriers for Bangladesh's exports, as well as ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh for maintaining price stability, especially during Ramadan.

Bangladesh and India on Wednesday discussed areas of future engagement in line with the national development goals of the two countries, including the visions of "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047" At the invitation of the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S.Jaishankar, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud is paying an official visit to India from February 7-9, 2024. "Our discussions today will strengthen (the) Bangladesh-India Maitri (friendship)," Jaishankar said in a brief message shared from X, formerly known as Twitter. This is Foreign Minister Mahmud's first official visit to India, and his first bilateral visit to any country, after assuming office as the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh in January 2024. "I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided the opportunity" The External Affairs Minister held delegation-level talks with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister and hosted a dinner in his honour. During their interaction, the two ministers reviewed the progress in wide-ranging areas of bilateral relations, including cross-border connectivity, economic anddevelopment partnership, cooperation in defence and security, power, energy, water resources and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of common interest. They expressed commitment to further enhance their collaboration to promote sub-regional cooperation within the framework of BIMSTEC, IORA and BBIN. Earlier, Foreign Minister Mahmud visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Mahmud said it is essential to maintain political stability and peace for the sake of development and progress, and that is the issue getting priority during his ongoing bilateral visit to India. Russain Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko congratulates Speaker Shirin Sharmin He held a meeting with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the first day of his visit. After the discussion at Sardar Patel Bhavan, the Awami League Joint General Secretary paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation ground and memorial square at Rajghat. Talking to reporters, he said unprecedented development has been achieved in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India has also made great progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  “There is no alternative to maintaining regional political stability and peace to maintain this development trend. We discussed in that direction,” Mahmud said. Foreign Minister Hasan also said there was a discussion about the rehabilitation of Rohingyas with full rights to their own country Myanmar, and they also discussed ways to work together on the ongoing situation in Myanmar. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Md Mustafizur Rahman, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh High Commission were present. Our discussions today will strengthen Bangladesh-India Maitri, says Jaishankar welcoming FM in New Delhi During the visit,  Mahmud will also call on the President of India and hold a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal. He will travel to Kolkata on 9 February before concluding his visit. The visit of Bangladesh’s foreign minister  to India is part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two countries and has enabled both sides to chart out the course of their forward-looking engagement during the new term of the Government in Bangladesh, according to the MEA. The visit follows the bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers  on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in Uganda last month and has contributed to further strengthening of the traditional, long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Bangladesh and Russia on Wednesday expressed willingness to expand economic ties exploring potential areas and deepen the relations on all fronts. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud discussed the issues when Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky met him at his official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We have discussed ways to expand the trade basket and more Russian investment in Bangladesh,” Hasan told reporters after the meeting. The foreign minister recalled the role of Russia during the War of Liberation in 1971 and its support in Bangladesh’s rebuilding efforts. During the War of Independence of Bangladesh, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) stood beside Bangladesh and thwarted international pressures and obstacles in the path to the creation of Bangladesh. Russian Ambassador dismisses claims made by BNP’s Gayeshwar The Soviet Union was also among the first few countries to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on January 25, 1972. Immediately after the independence of Bangladesh, the USSR extended all-out support to the reconstruction efforts of the war-ravaged country. It also provided its valuable support to Bangladesh in acquiring international recognition and eventually joining the United Nations. Hasan said the two sides discussed some of the MoUs that are pending and laid emphasis on expediting the MoU on Information and Communication Technology cooperation between the two countries. Asked about trade on the Russian currency, he said, “If we can do it with a number of countries, our dependency on some particular currency will lessen. It is not just Russia, with any country. It will be supportive for our economy.” Talking to reporters, the Russian ambassador said they discussed cooperation in the areas of political, economic, technical; cultural and science. “We had a very fruitful discussion.” He said the two countries are also working in the areas of energy and food security. What the US State Department said regarding those arrested in Bangladesh The Russian Ambassador has categorically dismissed the allegations made by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), affirming on Wednesday that the government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was democratically elected by the citizens of Bangladesh. “I can understand that the choice was made by your people. We do not interfere in the political affairs of any country, especially the friendly country of Bangladesh. It is some kind of misleading information or false information. Do not believe it,” he said, adding that over 41 percent of voters did cast their votes in the January 7 national election. This statement came in response to a journalist’s inquiry about the BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy’s claim.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has sought customized technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for enhancing local wheat and maize production in order to help address growing demands currently met through imports.  He highlighted Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in food security and agricultural production despite facing the challenges of shrinking arable land, growing population and climate impacts. FM seeks Danish investments in renewable energy, ICT sector The Foreign Minister also urged the Country Representative to align FAO’s activities with the relevant priority areas identified in the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. Dr Jiaoqun Shi, the new FAO Representative to Bangladesh presented his Credentials to Foreign Minister Dr Hasan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. No more stray mortal shells from Myanmar to land in Bangladesh, hopes FM The Foreign Minister welcomed the new FAO Representative and assured him of necessary support in discharging his responsibilities. Minister Hasan reiterated Bangladesh’s interest in supporting contract farming through private sector engagement in interested African countries.

Highlighting Danish knowledge and expertise, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday sought Danish investments in renewable energy, particularly offshore wind and solar energy as well as in the ICT sector. The Foreign Minister expressed optimism to further strengthen our bilateral ties and widen business baskets further. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh Christian Brix Moller met the Foreign Minister at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No more stray mortal shells from Myanmar to land in Bangladesh, hopes FM The Danish Ambassador termed the relations between the two countries as value-based, exceptional and strong. Bangladesh is Denmark’s second largest development partner and the largest in terms of per capita trade, he added. Ambassador Moller raised increasing interests of Danish companies in Bangladesh’s port infrastructure and renewable energy sectors including APM Terminals’ initiatives to construct and operate a container terminal at Laldia in Chattogram and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Copenhagen Offshore Partners proposal to invest US$ 1.3 billion in Bangladesh to generate 500 MW offshore wind energy. Dr Shi submits credentials to FM as new FAO Representative in Bangladesh He also expressed Danish investors’ interest in establishing cold chains in Bangladesh. The Ambassador hoped for a visit by the Danish Foreign Minister to Bangladesh in near future, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday hoped that there would be no further mortal shells from Myanmar landing inside Bangladesh territory amid conflicts inside Myanmar. “There are conflicts in Myanmar. Amid those ongoing conflicts, mortal shells fell on Bangladesh territory from Myanmar. Our forces along the border remain alert,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. Dr Shi submits credentials to FM as new FAO Representative in Bangladesh The foreign minister said the government of Bangladesh remains in touch with the Myanmar authority and hoped that it would not happen again. “We remain alert.” Media reported quoting the local sources that gunshots between the two conflicting groups were heard from Ukhiya and Teknaf border areas in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday. British parliamentary delegation visits Beximco Industrial Park On Sunday, the foreign minister said, “Situation in Myanmar has never been good. It always fluctuates – sometimes good, sometimes bad. Myanmar is going through such a situation.” He, however, said this current situation is an adverse one for the repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine. Talking to reporters, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis said the security situation inside Myanmar is very difficult at the moment and it is not a good time for Rohingya repatriation. Bangladesh, Canada find many areas for potential collaboration The UNRC said repatriation is a priority for Bangladesh, and Rohingyas as well as Bangladesh have agreed on their safe and dignified return to Myanmar. “We will continue to work in that direction,” she said, noting that there is a shortage of financing for the basic services that the Rohingyas need.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday raised the issue of “inaccurate” and “inconsistent” statements made by the UN human rights office on Bangladesh with UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis. “They get information from the biased and wrong sources. We discussed the issue so that it does not happen,” he told reporters after his meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not a good time for Rohingya repatriation, UN Resident Coordinator says The foreign minister said the events that unfolded since October 28 and BNP’s arson attacks and killing people did not feature in the reports made by Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). “I told her about this. She said she is looking into it,” Hasan, also Bangladesh Awami League joint general secretary said. The foreign minister also referred to UN Secretary General’s letter of congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his meeting with the UN chief in Uganda recently. China working with Myanmar on ceasefire in Rakhine: Ambassador Yao United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for championing a number of UN-led global processes and commended her leadership. During the meeting with FM Hasan, the secretary general congratulated Hasina and appreciated Bangladesh's vital role in the call for reforming global financial architecture. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, earlier, said unfortunately, the OHCHR may have fallen for BNP’s misinformation campaign. Bangladesh Air Force chief departs for Morocco The government expects that the OHCHR will rectify its 31-October press briefing note based on facts. If the OHCHR's statements are not highly objective, the Office will lose people's support, acceptability and credibility, the ministry said.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday urged the countries in the global South to stand in solidarity and unity to achieve the ultimate goals of sustainable development. He made the call while addressing the General Debate of the Third South Summit of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China in Kampala, Uganda. Underlining the ongoing global crisis due to climate change, wars and sanction-counter sanction, debt crisis, and escalating protectionism, he also said that the Member States of G-77 and China must leverage South-South cooperation to overcome these challenges. Plot-to-Plot BDS map set to start in February: Land Minister He recalled the historic address of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered at the 29th UN General Assembly in 1974 and said that Bangabandhu’s message is still very much relevant in the present global context. The Foreign Minister emphasized five pressing issues for a fairer and more equitable world such as, (i) more effective actions for SDGs implementation; (ii) reforming the current international financial architecture; (iii) addressing the technological divides; (iv) ensuring gender equality everywhere and (v) empowering the youth people through skill development and job creation. PM visits Walton Mega Stall at Dhaka Int’l Trade Fair In his address, he further highlighted the pragmatic and pro-development policies of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that have resulted in sustained economic growth in Bangladesh in the last one and a half decade. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to supporting the struggles of the Palestinian people for achieving their right to freedom and justice. Earlier in the day, he attended the opening  ceremony of the Summit. Role of NGOs upheld in implementing National Youth Policy-2017  The opening ceremony was inaugurated by the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni, as Chair of the third South Summit and the new Chair of the Group. The session was also addressed by Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly; António Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Liu Guozhong, Special Representative of the President of China; and Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, the host country of the Second South Summit.