United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Monday expressed hope that the postponed visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh “would be taking place” at a mutually convenient time. High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof met Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and discussed the issue. He also “briefed” the foreign secretary about regional issues. “Owing to unforeseen circumstances, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan is unable to undertake the visit to Bangladesh on 27-28 April 2025,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on April 24. There is an escalating tension between two South Asian countries- India and Pakistan - following the killing of 26 tourists in a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last week. During the meeting on Monday, both sides expressed satisfaction with the “constructive discussion and the successful conclusion” of the sixth round of foreign secretary-level bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and Pakistan held in Dhaka on April 17, highlighting it as a positive step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation. Bombing in a former stronghold of Pakistani Taliban kills 7 people and wounds 16 The importance of continued follow-up and further work by the relevant authorities from both sides on the areas and issues discussed during the FS-level bilateral consultations was emphasized. The high commissioner of Pakistan also apprised the foreign secretary of the ongoing visit of a high level business delegation from Pakistan to Bangladesh focused on specific products and the Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum which is being held in Dhaka.  Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said Bangladesh wants peace in South Asia, noting that tensions between India and Pakistan can be eased through dialogue. "Our position is very clear. We want peace in South Asia. We do not want any major conflict to arise, which can become a source of danger for the people of this region," Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question.  

India on Thursday dismissed Pakistan media reports that New Delhi was responsible for the delay in the approval of Masood Khan's appointment as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States. Speaking at a weekly media briefing, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "It is preposterous to blame a third country for the delay in appointment of one country to another." Masood Khan's nomination was sent to Washington by Pakistan Foreign Office in November last year. Media reports say the US deliberately delayed the approval of Pakistan's ambassador-designate's posting in Washington and sought more time for his approval, reports ANI. Earlier this week, a US Congressman has raised grave concern about the appointment of Masood Khan as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States. In a letter to US President Joe Biden, Congressman Scott Perry had asked Biden to reject Masood's appointment, stating that Imran Khan's nomination of a bona fide "terrorist sympathiser" Congressman Perry added that Masood Khan can only be described as a "breathtaking lack of judgment at best," and "a demonstration of Islamabad's unmitigated contempt for the United States at worst." READ: Indian Navy's home-made submarine heads out for first sea trial "While I am encouraged that the State Department has reportedly placed a pause on approving Masood Khan as the new Ambassador from Pakistan, a pause is not enough. I urge you to reject any diplomatic credentials presented to you by Masood Khan and reject any effort by the Government of Pakistan to install this jihadist as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States," Scott Perry said in his letter to Biden. Perry said that Masood Khan is a supporter of the terrorist groups Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as Helping Hand for Relief and Development, a group that had no qualms establishing a partnership with the foreign terrorist organisation responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. A US-based think tank also urged Biden to reject Pakistan's appointment of the 'Jihadi-terrorist-sympathizer', Masood Khan, as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. READ: Budget: Indian villages along China border to get infra boost Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), in its press release, said that the diplomatic role of Masood Khan in the United States may open an avenue for access for terrorist organisations to US institutions.