United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing observed Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day on Saturday with due dignity and solemnity. The day-long programme began in the morning with Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md. Nazmul Islam lowering the national flag at half-mast on the embassy premises and placing a wreath at the Shaheed Minar. Embassy officials and staff, members of the Bangladeshi diaspora and Chinese guests attended the ceremony. The afternoon session opened with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a minute’s silence in memory of the language martyrs. Messages from the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. In his speech, Ambassador Nazmul said the national consciousness of the Bengali people developed through the 1952 Language Movement, which later led to the Liberation War of 1971 and the birth of an independent Bangladesh. He called on members of the diaspora to work together to uphold the dignity of their mother tongue.

India, China and Pakistan on Sunday invited Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to pay official visits to the countries at mutually convenient times. The envoys of China and India extended the invitations on behalf of their respective foreign ministers during separate meetings with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh at the Foreign Ministry. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended to Dr Khalilur an invitation from Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to undertake an official visit to New Delhi at an early date. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed an invitation from the Chinese Foreign Minister for Dr Rahman to undertake an official visit to China at a mutually convenient time. The envoys congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a decisive victory in the general elections which they termed as one of the most free and fair elections in the country’s history. Dhaka indicates ‘forward looking, balanced partnership’ with Delhi They also felicitated Dr Khalilur on his assumption of the office of the Foreign Minister. The Chinese Ambassador conveyed China’s firm support for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s ‘Bangladesh First’ policy. He said the Chinese premier intends to work closely with the Bangladesh prime minister to further deepen bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur underscored the importance of advancing the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. He also called for enhanced Chinese engagement with all relevant stakeholders for early repatriation of Rohingyas. The India High Commissioner expressed his government’s readiness to work closely with the new Government of Bangladesh to further advance bilateral cooperation.

Seeking stronger cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rehman, felicitating him on his recent appointment. Both leaders expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral ties, with a shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity, said the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka. They also agreed to expand cooperation across diverse sectors and in multilateral fora, building a forward-looking partnership for the peoples of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan PM congratulates Tarique Rahman on election win, pledges closer ties

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday indicated Bangladesh’s intent to build a ‘forward-looking and balanced partnership’ with India based on mutual interest for the benefit of the people of the two countries. Both sides agreed to maintain a regular and constructive engagement to further strengthen the bilateral relationship. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, who met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, extended to Dr Khalilur Rahman an invitation from Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to undertake an official visit to New Delhi at an early date. Talking to reporters at the Ministry, the Indian envoy said they look forward to working together with Bangladesh in a forward-looking manner to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains. "So, I think, of course, people-to-people exchanges are a very important part of our bilateral relations," he said, noting that they really hope to take forward things working together in a positive, constructive and forward looking manner. During the meeting, the High Commissioner reiterated their position that they look forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh. "We want to strengthen our people's centric cooperation in all domains, working together in a positive, constructive and forward looking manner. And based on our mutual benefit and mutual interest," he said. "So that was the conversation that we had and we really look forward to it," said the High Commissioner.

Praising Bangladesh’s ‘Bangladesh First’ policy, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said any attempt to undermine cooperation between China and Bangladesh, or with any South Asian country, is doomed to fail. “Our cooperation is not targeting any third party, and should not be affected by any foreign forces,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question after his separate meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed. The Ambassador said Dhaka and Beijing have been engaged in long-standing discussions over the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, expressing the hope that work on the long-awaited initiative will begin soon. “That is also one of my expectations. We could work on it. We will continue to work on it,” he said when a reporter wanted to know whether he is hopeful that the project will commence soon. The Chinese Ambassador described the recently held election as smooth and orderly and found it as the victory of democracy. He said the high-level visits between the two countries would continue. Ambassador Yao said as a friendly neighbor and a comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of Bangladesh, China attaches great importance to deepening relations with Bangladesh, and supports the new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in exercising smooth governance. India seeks stronger people-centric ties with Bangladesh: Envoy

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah on Sunday said that his country has issued 750,000 work visas and altogether 1.4 mn visas for Bangladeshi citizens in 2025. "There is scope for skilled and semi-skilled workers to jobs in the Kingdom as many development works are going on there," he said when he met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. During the meeting, they discussed the issues of mutual interest. The Ambassador conveyed greetings from his government and expressed his commitment to further strengthening Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh bilateral relations. Welcoming the Ambassador, the Foreign Minister described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh. He recalled that diplomatic relations between the two countries began during the presidency of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with the establishment of the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1976. President Zia also paid a historic visit to the Kingdom in 1977. Both sides acknowledged his historic contribution to promoting Muslim unity.

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli on Saturday visited the Central Shaheed Minar, the language monument in Dhaka, to pay homage to the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement on the occasion of International Mother Language Day. "Coming from a country with four languages, we know how language shapes who we are and reflects the diversity within us. While we pay tribute to languages today," he said. The Ambassador said affirm everyone’s right to speak their own. The nation on Saturday observed 'Amar Ekushey', the Language Martyr's Day and the International Mother Language Day, marking the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the dignity of the mother tongue, Bangla. The day was also observed around the world as UNESCO recognised Ekushey February as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.

The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin has congratulated Tarique Rahman upon his appointment to the post of the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The head of the Russian government expressed confidence that constructive joint efforts at the government level will be conducive to broader cooperation in trade, economy, investment, culture, and people-to-people ties for the benefit of both nations, said the Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday.

India on Friday said they look forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh and taking things forward, noting that they want to strengthen multifaceted relations with Bangladesh. "We look forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh," Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at a regular briefing in New Delhi. He said the recent letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi underlines India’s commitment to support a 'democratic, progressive and inclusive' Bangladesh. The Indian Prime Minister congratulated Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman soon after his election victory. Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla attended the swearing-in ceremony on February 17, and handed over a letter from the Indian Prime Minister to PM Tarique) Rahman. “Building on the warm and historic ties between the two countries, India looks forward to further strengthening our multifaceted bilateral ties with Bangladesh," said the MEA Spokesperson while responding to a question. Jaiswal also spoke about Bangladesh-India visa operations, saying New Delhi would discuss all the aspects of the relations will be discussed. Inviting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his family to visit India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Bangladesh and India can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security and enable mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies. Bangladesh should pursue ‘no-exclusive-alignment’ policy with major powers: Expert “I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said in a letter that was handed over to Prime Minister Tarique on Tuesday. Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). As two close neighbours, Prime Minister Modi said Bangladesh and India have a deep-rooted friendship founded on shared history, cultural ties, and the aspirations of their peoples for peace and prosperity. “The strong convergence between our respective developmental priorities shall serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation,” Modi said. He invited the Prime Minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to pay a visit to India at a convenient time. “I take this opportunity to invite you, along with Dr Zubaida Rahman and your daughter Zaima, on a visit to India at a mutually convenient time. A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi said.

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim on Friday telephoned Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and congratulated him on assuming office following a landslide election victory. “Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called Tarique Rahman around 3pm and warmly congratulated him on becoming the Prime Minister and on the massive election victory,” Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB. During the conversation, Anwar Ibrahim also conveyed Malaysia’s interest in working closely on various bilateral issues. Congratulating Tarique, Anwar Ibrahim hopes for 'renewed energy' in Malaysia-Bangladesh ties Tarique Rahman thanked his Malaysian counterpart for the call and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing cooperation for the development and prosperity of both nations. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a two-thirds majority in the February-12 national election and formed the government on February 17, with Tarique Rahman being the Prime Minister.