United News of Bangladesh

The US Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as the 23rd President of Bangladesh. It said the US looks forward to working with President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the government of Bangladesh to further strengthen the bilateral partnership. Mirza Fakhrul was elected President of Bangladesh on August 20. He took the oath of office on Friday.

The remains of six Bangladeshi nationals who died in a devastating hotel fire in Kolkata were repatriated to Bangladesh on Saturday. The body of SM Alimuzzaman of Satkhira was brought home through the Ghojadanga-Bhomra border in Satkhira in the morning and handed over to his family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. Meanwhile, the remains of journalist Debashis Dutta, his wife Afsana Sharmin, their three-year-old son Swarnashish Dutta, his father-in-law Akram Hossain, and Ahmed Babu of Aminbazar returned home through the Benapole border in Jashore in the afternoon. The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata provided necessary assistance to the families throughout the preservation, transportation and repatriation process.

Newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Saturday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India at an appropriate time following progress in discussions, with the country’s national interests being given priority. He said the government wants to maintain a positive and effective relationship with India, but Bangladesh cannot move forward with relations with any country by compromising its national interests. No country in the world that I cannot speak to eye-to-eye: State Minister Humaiun Kobir The state minister made the remarks while responding to queries from journalists after paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar at noon. Regarding relations with India, he said, “We want a positive relationship with India. Why wouldn’t we? They are our neighbours. We should have an effective relationship.” However, Kobir said there will be no compromise on Bangladesh’s national interests. “Not only with India, but with no country can we do anything by compromising our national interests,” he said. About extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said she went to India after fleeing Bangladesh following her involvement in the killing of 1,500 people during the July 2024 mass uprising, and that judicial proceedings in several cases against her have already reached conclusions, while many other cases remain pending. The state minister said Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with India. “So, these are not new conditions or a new kind of engagement; these are ongoing issues,” he said. He said bringing back Hasina and other alleged offenders who fled to India is linked to the expectations of the people of Bangladesh. “There are more criminals who have fled to India. This is a natural demand of the people of Bangladesh and a matter of their sentiment. We want to engage with India by giving priority to this process,” Kobir said. “We will engage with India. We want a positive relationship. But it has to be done by prioritising Bangladesh’s national interests,” he said, adding that there is no rush over the Prime Minister’s India visit. “If we reach an agreement based on our national interests tomorrow, we can go [to India] next week, or the week after. There is no rush here,” the state minister said. He said necessary preparations and discussions are required before a visit at the prime ministerial level. “There are issues to discuss and preparations to make. A prime ministerial-level visit is not something that can just happen suddenly. This is not a game,” Kobir said. He said the two sides need to establish the necessary preparations and groundwork before a meeting between the heads of government. “We are doing exactly that,” he said. The state minister said Bangladesh is receiving indications of a positive attitude and goodwill from India, noting that it has also acknowledged the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. “You can see that statements are also coming from India on this issue. They have acknowledged that the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh have been hurt, particularly by Sheikh Hasina’s press conference on August 5 this year. They have taken note of the matter,” he said, describing this as a “good beginning.” “Now let us see whether there is some progress in the remaining discussions. Based on the discussions and our national interests, we will certainly visit India when the time is appropriate,” Kobir said.

Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended his congratulations on behalf of the government and people of the Maldives to newly elected Bangladeshi President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. In a congratulatory letter, President Muizzu highlighted that the election—marking Bangladesh's first contested presidential vote in 35 years—represents a significant milestone in the nation's democratic journey and reflects the deep trust placed in the new president. Mirza Fakhrul takes oath as 23rd President The Maldivian leader emphasized that the enduring relationship between the Maldives and Bangladesh is built on solid historical ties and a shared commitment to regional stability and development. He expressed strong confidence that under President Mirza Fakhrul’s leadership, bilateral cooperation will continue to expand in depth and scope, bringing the two nations even closer in the years ahead. Muizzu concluded his letter by conveying his hopes for Bangladesh's continued path toward lasting peace, progress, and prosperity during the new president’s tenure.

Reiterating his commitment to safeguarding the country’s interests, newly appointed State Minister Humaiun Kobir on Friday night said that there is no country in the world with which he cannot speak “eye-to-eye” if he has the support of the people. “Pray for me so that I am not compromised in any way. My belief is that there is no country in the world that I can not speak to eye-to-eye with if the people support us,” he told reporters soon after taking oath as State Minister. Kobir, who previously served as an Adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman before and after the formation of the government, said the new assignment reflects the Prime Minister’s confidence in him. “I feel proud. It’s a new opportunity to work for the country. I will perform my responsibilities with the utmost sincerity and commitment, safeguarding the national interest,” Kobir said. He said the position carries executive responsibilities and that he would fulfil his role with the utmost commitment, regardless of the portfolio assigned to him. “Wherever I am placed, it’s a great opportunity to work for the government,” Kobir said. He is expected to be appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs, even as State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam continues in her current role.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Friday congratulated his Bangladesh counterpart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir who took oath as the 23rd President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. "I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the partnership between our two neighbouring countries. Please accept my best wishes for your continued good health and happiness, for the successful discharge of your responsibilities, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh," she said in a message issued soon after the oath taking ceremony held at Bangabhaban in the evening. The Indian President extended to the Bangladesh President her warm congratulations on his assumption of office as the President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. "I am confident that your long experience of public life and political leadership heralds a successful tenure in service of the people of Bangladesh," she said. The Indian President said Bangladesh share a unique relationship, rooted in a shared history of sacrifices, close cultural ties and warm bonds of friendship. In recent times, she said the bilateral ties have steadily expanded to several areas such as energy, technology, connectivity, youth affairs, health and education. Meanwhile, Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel has sent a congratulatory message to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as the 23rd President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. In his message, the President wished the newly elected President of Bangladesh success in his new responsibilities. He reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to further strengthening the long-standing friendly ties between Bangladesh and Nepal, including the deep-rooted people-to-people connections that bind the two nations together.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. He expressed confidence that, under his leadership, Bangladesh would continue to make progress and advance the well-being of its people. President Zardari said Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoyed close bonds rooted in their shared history, faith and cultural ties. He welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral relations and expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow in areas of mutual interest. He said he looks forward to working with President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to further strengthen Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and promote greater exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples. The President also invited the Bangladeshi President to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time, expressing confidence that his visit would provide an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation. President Zardari conveyed his best wishes to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for the successful discharge of his responsibilities and for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has not yet taken any decision regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India, as Dhaka awaits a response from New Delhi to concerns recently raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “No decision has been made yet [regarding the PM’s visit],” Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh (Saleh Shibly) told UNB on Friday. PM’s first India visit should be bilateral; no hurry: Adviser Humaiun Kobir The Indian Express, an Indian daily newspaper,  reported on Friday that the Prime Minister is likely to visit New Delhi between August 23 and 25. Meanwhile, shortly after issuing a statement indicating preparations at Rashtrapati Bhavan for a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, India withdrew it on Friday. In a press release issued on Friday afternoon, the Indian President’s Secretariat said the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan would not be held on Saturday (August 22) due to a full rehearsal for the ceremonial welcome of the Bangladeshi prime minister. The statement was posted by India’s Press Information Bureau at 2:25pm but was later recalled. On August 16, Bangladesh requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with their bilateral extradition treaty. "We are awaiting their response," said A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch with each other for several weeks on the possibility of a bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. However, MoFA spokesperson Karim said, this process was “vitiated” by the open press interaction in New Delhi on 5th August by Sheikh Hasina who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. "We have made our position clear on this matter," he said while reading out a written statement. The spokesperson, however, did not take any question. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India should be a bilateral visit rather than a meeting on the sidelines of multilateral platforms such as BRICS or the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), PM’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said on Thursday. “The first visit should be bilateral. We should invite each other to our homes, understand?” he said, describing Bangladesh and India as two important countries. Talking to private TV channels at his office, Adviser Kobir said any visit should have a clear outcome, with mutual respect and engagement in place. “There are issues related to the interests of the two countries and these are not something to rush into,” he said. “When we see that the timing is right, we are willing to visit.” He said groundwork needs to be done on several issues before the two sides can reach a consensus. The Adviser said that in recent days, Bangladesh has seen a fairly positive conversation from India, along with a strong realisation on the Indian side that the events of August 5 have deeply affected the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. “If India truly means resetting relations, then it must realise today’s Bangladesh,” Kobir said, noting that “in today’s Bangladesh, a terrorist like Sheikh Hasina or her party does not exist.” “So, by recognising this reality, we have to take the relationship forward,” the Adviser said. India’s promise to give the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman an “honourable welcome” during his visit makes New Delhi’s intent unmistakably clear, Indian media The Print reports, noting that the ball is now in Dhaka’s court. Acknowledging that there are issues between the two neighbours, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday night called on Bangladesh and India to move beyond their differences and work together to build a relationship based on “mutual and unconditional trust,” saying such differences can be resolved through engagement and dialogue. “I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” he said. The Indian envoy also conveyed what he described as an assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a future visit by the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India. “After meeting the Prime Minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our Prime Minister. He (PM Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” he said. “You can tell them on my behalf that you have the Prime Minister of India’s assurance that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” he added, quoting the Indian Prime Minister. The visit, Trivedi said, would be “a memorable visit” whose benefits would ultimately reach people and businesses on both sides. On Hasina’s extradition request, the Indian government has recently said that the matter is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday evening that they have extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. “We've also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a visit to India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit. So, these invitations have been extended, and I shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard,” he added.

China has congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his election as president of Bangladesh, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday. Lin told a daily news briefing when responding to a query on the fact that Alamgir, candidate of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was elected as Bangladesh's 23rd president on Thursday. "China attaches great importance to developing China‑Bangladesh relations," said Lin, adding that China stands ready to work with the Bangladeshi government to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, advance the high‑quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and steadily advance the building of a China‑Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India should be a bilateral visit rather than a meeting on the sidelines of multilateral platforms such as BRICS or the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), PM’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said on Thursday. “The first visit should be bilateral. We should invite each other to our homes, understand?” he said, describing Bangladesh and India as two important countries. Talking to private TV channels at his office, Adviser Kobir said any visit should have a clear outcome, with mutual respect and engagement in place. “There are issues related to the interests of the two countries and these are not something to rush into,” he said. “When we see that the timing is right, we are willing to visit.” He said groundwork needs to be done on several issues before the two sides can reach a consensus. The Adviser said that in recent days, Bangladesh has seen a fairly positive conversation from India, along with a strong realisation on the Indian side that the events of August 5 have deeply affected the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. “If India truly means resetting relations, then it must realise today’s Bangladesh,” Kobir said, noting that “in today’s Bangladesh, a terrorist like Sheikh Hasina or her party does not exist.” “So, by recognising this reality, we have to take the relationship forward,” the Adviser said. India’s promise to give the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman an “honourable welcome” during his visit makes New Delhi’s intent unmistakably clear, Indian media The Print reports, noting that the ball is now in Dhaka’s court. Acknowledging that there are issues between the two neighbours, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday night called on Bangladesh and India to move beyond their differences and work together to build a relationship based on “mutual and unconditional trust,” saying such differences can be resolved through engagement and dialogue. “I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” he said. The Indian envoy also conveyed what he described as an assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a future visit by the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India. “After meeting the Prime Minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our Prime Minister. He (PM Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” he said. “You can tell them on my behalf that you have the Prime Minister of India’s assurance that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” he added, quoting the Indian Prime Minister. The visit, Trivedi said, would be “a memorable visit” whose benefits would ultimately reach people and businesses on both sides. On August 16, Bangladesh urged India to act expeditiously on its request and help create a “propitious environment” for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to make a bilateral visit to India. "We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit," said A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch with each other for several weeks on the possibility of a bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. However, spokesperson Karim said, this process was “vitiated” by the open press interaction in New Delhi on 5th August by Sheikh Hasina who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. "We have made our position clear on this matter," he said while reading out a written statement. The spokesperson, however, did not take any question.  To this end, Bangladesh requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with their bilateral extradition treaty. "We are awaiting their response," said the spokesperson. Bangladesh reiterated that they will continue to pursue their "Bangladesh First" policy to promote friendly bilateral relations with other countries, including their neighbours, on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and mutual benefit. On Hasina’s extradition request, the Indian government has recently said that the matter is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday evening that they have extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. “We've also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a visit to India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit. So, these invitations have been extended, and I shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard,” he added.