British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific Catherine West will visit Bangladesh on November 16-17 to discuss ways to strengthen ties with Bangladesh on key fronts. She is expected to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, said Toufique Hasan, Director General (Public Diplomacy), while briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday afternoon. Toufique said the purpose of her visit is to strengthen the Bangladesh-UK economic, strategic and migration partnerships. Her responsibilities include India and the Indian Ocean, China and Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, economic security and growth and economics and evaluation. Catherine West was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 9 July 2024. Since 2015 she has been the Labour MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet. Before entering politics, Catherine was a social worker. She also worked with refugees in London during the Balkans crisis from 1998 to 2000.

UK’s Minister for South Asia Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon on Monday expressed optimism that the citizens of Bangladesh will have an open and vigorous debate about the country’s direction as Bangladesh approaches its next election period. “Inclusive politics are essential for every country’s prosperity, something that the Father of the Nation (Bangabandhu) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman knew very well,” he said, adding that the constitution (Bangladesh) emphasizes both transparency and due process which is a real guiding right to everyone. The British Minister said Bangladesh, on Bangabandhu’s legacy, has built something quite remarkable and there is an opportunity for this great nation to go even further. He made the remarks while delivering keynote speech at a programme titled “Bangladesh-UK: Partners in Progress' with Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen as the chair. The event was held at the Foreign Service Academy. Lord Ahmad, also the Minister for the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), said as a steadfast friend and partner of Bangladesh they value this unique relationship and friendship. “Our message is simple - to all of you from all of us. I assure we’re partners for today and for the future. As close and honest friends, we look forward to further strengthening this unique partnership,” he said. Read:'Bangladesh a compelling case for UK investors'