The United States wants to see the human rights of the Bangladeshi people are upheld. "Our position with respect to human rights in Bangladesh is the same under this government as it was under the previous government," said Spokesperson at the US Department of State Matthew Miller in a regular briefing in Washington on November 20. "We want to see the human rights of the Bangladeshi people upheld," he added.  

A U.S. government-led delegation will arrive in Dhaka on Friday to discuss support to economic resilience, stability, growth, as well as meaningful and quality jobs in Bangladesh.  The Nov 22-25 visit "underscores" the United States’ commitment to improving and advancing economic development, internationally recognized labour standards, as well as sustainable growth and broadly shared prosperity, said the US Department of State on Thursday. The delegation will be led by Special Representative for International Labor Affairs Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez, on behalf of the Department of State, and Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee, on behalf of the Department of Labor. US vetoes UN resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza During their visit, the delegation will meet with officials from the Interim Government, private sector garment producers, and labor union stakeholders, said the Spokesperson at the US Department of State.  The delegation will engage representatives from American companies invested in the ready-made garment sector and global labor experts to discuss how to best support Bangladesh’s economy, democracy, and workers. 

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mansour Chavoshi on Wednesday underscored the immense potential for enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, highlighting Iran’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties. He proposed the signing and renewal of various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, including those related to investment, preferential trade, tariff reductions, visa exemptions, cultural exchanges, city-to-city partnerships, and media collaboration. The envoy paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed bilateral issues. IOM urged to facilitate safe, regular migration for skilled human resourcesThe discussions centered on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, with particular emphasis on economic and cultural cooperation. During the meeting, Ambassador Chavoshi congratulated the Foreign Secretary on his recent appointment and conveyed his gratitude for Bangladesh's longstanding support on international platforms. The ambassador expressed hope for continued collaboration in multilateral fora. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral mechanisms, including the convening of the next round of the Joint Ministerial Commission and Foreign Office Consultations at an early date. Foreign Secretary highlights regional diplomacy for peace and development in virtual meeting with Bangladesh envoys Discussions also included the resumption of the Joint Commission meeting in Tehran in the near future.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged top Republican Party leaders to visit Bangladesh to witness the interim government's efforts to restore democracy in the country. He made the call when senior officials of the International Republican Institute called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. IRI, the think tank tied with the Republican Party, promotes democracy worldwide. Led by Steve Cima, the institute's regional chief, the IRI officials have been meeting with politicians, student groups, and civil society officials during their ongoing visit. Ready to help Bangladesh, ex-Serbian President tells Dr Yunus Cima said the IRI's priority is to support the Interim Government's reform initiatives, especially now that there have been widespread calls to fix the country's key institutions. "Under the Awami League, the real concern was over the true trajectory of the country," Cima said. "It is in the US' interest to see reforms succeed here," he said. Prof Yunus said his government would hold elections after carrying out vital reforms. He said the train for the election had already left the first station, and a new election commission would prepare the ground for the general election. He said Bangladesh would like to work closely with the newly elected US President Donald Trump administration. Nothing negative suddenly emerging as Trump is President: Prof Yunus He said he would invite top Republican Senators and Congresspersons to visit Bangladesh to witness the unprecedented changes ushered in by the student-led mass uprising. IRI official Geoffrey Macdonald, IRI country chief Joshua Rosemblum and Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh government Lamiya Morshed were present during the meeting.  

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday advised the International Organization of Migration (IOM) to facilitate the process of safe and regular migration for skilled human resources. He highlighted the importance of creating databases for jobseekers and using digital tools for skills profiling and matching. The issue was discussed when new Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh, Lance Bonneau, submitted the letter of credence to the Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain. The Adviser welcomed the new IOM chief to Bangladesh. Bonneau mentioned that preserving the integrity of regular migration is one of the priorities of IOM’s strategic plan. The Adviser assured him of required support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in continuing IOM’s activities in Bangladesh.

The "Bangladesh Culture" segment of the prestigious "Riyadh Season" is set to kick off on Wednesday afternoon (4pm KSA time), showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh.  This high-profile event will highlight various aspects of expatriates' lives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering a vibrant glimpse into the traditions, art, and customs of Bangladesh. A diverse lineup of artistes, celebrities, and influencers from Bangladesh will showcase the country’s rich culture and heritage during a four-day celebration at Al-Suwaidi Park.  The event, filled with vibrant performances, traditional music, dance, and delicious Bangladeshi cuisine, promises to be a spectacular display of Bangladesh's traditions.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has said diplomatic engagement at the bilateral level, combined with regional cooperation, can significantly contribute to fostering peace, stability, and economic development in this region. He held a virtual meeting with the High Commissioners/Ambassadors/Heads of Missions of Bangladesh to the South Asian countries and discussed priority issues. The discussion was held to take stock of the current state of bilateral cooperation, consular services as well as administrative issues of the missions. The Heads of Missions shared updates on their efforts and initiatives, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was also attended by Additional Foreign Secretary and Inspector General of Missions Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Director General (Administration) Muhammad Nazmul Hoque and Director General (South Asia) Ishrat Jahan.

Bangladesh currently offers a favourable environment for trade and commerce, and South Korean investors are likely to increase their investments in the country, says Commerce Adviser Sk Bashiruddin. During a courtesy meeting with South Korea's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr Park Young-sik, on Monday afternoon at the Adviser’s office, he expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral ties and fostering investment opportunities. The discussion centred on enhancing bilateral trade, exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement (FTA), and expanding South Korean investments in Bangladesh. Nepalese Ambassador meets Bangladesh’s Religious Adviser Bashiruddin highlighted that the recent student-led uprising in Bangladesh has opened new horizons of potential, underscoring that the nation cannot afford to regress. He said the government's achievements in its first 100 days have met public expectations. The Adviser emphasised that a Bangladesh-Korea FTA would be mutually beneficial, leading to expanded trade relations and improved people-to-people connections. He encouraged the South Korean Ambassador to focus on increasing investments in Bangladesh's light engineering and leather industries, as well as in the country's export processing zones (EPZs). Commonwealth to work with interim govt to build "inclusive, prosperous" Bangladesh: ASG Ambassador Park commended Bangladesh’s large youth population, noting that South Korea is eager to contribute to their technological skill development. He shared details of South Korea's ongoing initiatives to create a skilled workforce through technical training centres. The Ambassador also pointed out that, unlike other nations that target select sectors for investment in Bangladesh, South Korea has already diversified its investments across multiple sectors. Bangladesh flags visa-related difficulties with Austria He assured that South Korean investments in Bangladesh would continue to grow in the future.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari on Monday met Bangladesh’s Religious Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and discussed issues of mutual interest between the two South Asian nations.  The meeting was held at the Adviser’s Secretariat office. Dr Khalid highlighted the deep, close, and friendly ties between Bangladesh and Nepal, underscoring their longstanding diplomatic relationship. There has never been a crisis or tension in their diplomatic ties, which have only strengthened over time, he added. The adviser emphasised the shared memberships of Bangladesh and Nepal in regional organisations such as Saarc and Bimstec, as well as their aligned perspectives on various international and regional issues. Austrian companies keen to invest in Bangladesh: Ambassador He expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations, envisioning even greater cooperation and mutual development between the two nations. Ambassador Bhandari extended his congratulations to Dr Hossain, recalling that on August 7, prior to the formation of the interim government, Nepal issued an official statement recognising the changes in Bangladesh and expressing solidarity with its people. He described it as the first official statement by a foreign government in response to the new circumstances in Bangladesh. The ambassador also praised the friendly and respectful relations between the two countries, describing them as exemplary. Referring to Nepal’s recent electricity exports to Bangladesh, he pointed out that Nepal is supplying electricity to Bangladesh at the lowest cost and expressed his government’s willingness to increase the supply in the future. Ambassador Bhandari assured Bangladesh of Nepal’s continued support and cooperation, especially during this transitional period under the interim government. The meeting was also attended by Religious Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, Additional Secretary of the Development Wing Md Abdul Awal Hawladar, and Dr Khalid Hossain’s Private Secretary, Sadek Ahmed.

The number of Bangladeshi students studying in the United States surged to an all-time high with more than 17,000 Bangladeshis currently enrolled in US institutions. With the second highest overall increase in the world, the current number of Bangladeshi students in the United States represents a 26% increase from the previous academic year (2022-2023), according to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. This remarkable growth catapulted Bangladesh from the 13th to the 8th largest sender of international students to the United States — all within a single year. Over the past decade, the number of Bangladeshi students in the United States has grown by over 250%, surging from 4,802 in the 2013-2014 academic year to an impressive 17,099 in 2023-2024. The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education jointly release the annual Open Doors Report, which records the number of international students at U.S. universities and international students enrolled in pre-academic intensive English Programs.  International student enrollment in the United States hit a record 1,126,690 in 2023/24, a 7% increase from the prior year. Graduate students reached an all-time high of 502,291, up 8%, while those pursuing post-graduation practical work experience spiked 22%.  Community colleges also saw explosive growth, with enrollment up 13% to 59,315—the fastest growth rate in over 25 years. In 2023, international students contributed over $50 billion to the United States and more than 368,000 jobs, according to the US Department of Commerce. The United States remains deeply committed to fostering international education and student exchange, recognizing its pivotal role in driving innovation, strengthening economic growth, enhancing diplomacy, and bolstering national security, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday. The US Embassy, Dhaka is celebrating International Education Week 2024 by offering several virtual and in-person information sessions, plus conducting regional outreach sessions for Bangladeshi students and scholars, about the U.S. higher education application process, different types of academic programs, funding/scholarship opportunities, and US government-sponsored academic and professional exchange programmes.