United News of Bangladesh

The newly built Bangladesh Embassy Complex at Hejo in Thimphu was inaugurated on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in Bhutan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuk of the Kingdom of Bhutan graced the occasion as the chief guest. Among the distinguished guests were Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Justice Norbu Tshering, Chief Justice of Bhutan; Sangay Dorji, Chairperson of the National Council of Bhutan; D.N. Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy and Renewable Resources; Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh; MA Akmall Hossain Azad, Senior Secretary of Bangladesh’s Planning Commission; and Enayetullah Khan, Editor-in-Chief of UNB. The ceremony also brought together renowned personalities, business leaders and senior officials from both Bangladesh and Bhutan. Participants expressed confidence that the new chancery building would elevate bilateral relations to a new height. In addition to attending the inauguration, Foreign Secretary Siam had an audience with the King of Bhutan. He also held meetings with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary of Bhutan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overarching issues of bilateral cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. The two sides explored the prospects of signing a Free Trade Agreement and enhancing connectivity to boost trade. They also discussed the possibility of greater air connectivity between the two countries. New Bhutanese envoy calls on Foreign Secretary The meetings reviewed progress on the Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Bangladesh, and examined the potential of linking this SEZ with Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City. The Foreign Secretary assured Bhutan’s leadership that Bangladesh would extend all possible support to His Majesty the King’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Bhutan expressed eagerness to export hydropower to Bangladesh, while the two sides also discussed internet connectivity. Bangladesh, in turn, conveyed its interest in exporting skilled professionals to Bhutan.  

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Guatemala, resident in Mexico, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has presented his credentials to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala Mo nica Bolan os Pe rez and called for stronger bilateral ties with Guatemala. During their meeting on Tuesday, both sides underscored the importance of deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation. Vice Minister Bolan os Pe rez commended Bangladesh’s notable contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.  Ambassador Mushfique proposed facilitating a visit by a Guatemalan business delegation to Bangladesh to explore new opportunities for collaboration, said the Embassy on Wednesday.  Bangladesh condemns Israeli military aggression against Qatar He also highlighted Bangladesh’s competitive export sectors, particularly ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, leather, and jute goods. On the sidelines, Ambassador Mushfique met with Director General Lynsay Herna ndez, where he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s full commitment to advancing bilateral ties.  

The government of Bangladesh has unequivocally condemned the recent Israeli military aggression against Qatar. Such actions constitute a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, as well as of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Wednesday. Bangladesh called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations and relevant stakeholders to take appropriate measures to ensure accountability and to uphold respect for international law and the UN Charter. Dhaka seeks peaceful dialogue in Nepal to resolve differences Bangladesh said it stands in steadfast solidarity with the government and people of the brotherly State of Qatar in the face of this unlawful and unprovoked attack. This incident is yet another indication of Israel’s continued disregard for regional stability, international peace, and established international norms, Bangladesh said in its statement. "Such actions undermine global efforts towards peace and security," the statement read.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will reschedule their flights as per the evolving security situations in Nepal and the flight reopening in accordance with Nepali civil aviation guidelines, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu. Some 500 passengers of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are currently stuck in Nepal, said the government of Bangladesh on Tuesday night. Biman Bangladesh Airlines passengers, who are looking for flight-related information or updates for the Kathmandu-Dhaka route, have been requested to contact the following numbers of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Kathmandu Office Country Manager: +9779851037510Station Manager: +977 9851026159Sales: +977 9847918402 About one hundred Bangladeshi officials and football players, who undertook the visit for official purposes, are currently stuck in Kathmandu, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The number of tourists currently visiting Nepal on private initiative or purpose could not be determined immediately, he said. Nepal protests: Gen Z free Rabi Lamichhane, spark mass prison break However, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu received calls from more than 350 callers who are stuck in Nepal. Their enquiries mostly pertain to Biman's flight particulars or postponement and future scheduling. It has been assumed that some 500 Biman passengers are currently stuck in Nepal, Azad said.  

As a longstanding friend and neighbour of Nepal, Bangladesh on Tuesday said it remains confident in the ability of the resilient people of Nepal to restore peace and ensure stability. “Bangladesh hopes that all sides will exercise maximum restraint and engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue to resolve any differences,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. The government of Bangladesh is ‘closely observing’ the situation in Nepal and expressed its sincere condolences over the tragic loss of lives. Bangladesh also extended its sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased, and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured. Meanwhile, all Bangladeshi nationals currently living or stuck in Nepal have strongly been advised not to move outside and stay at their respective places or hotels. The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu issued an urgent notice on Tuesday following the current situation in Nepal. All Bangladeshi nationals-inbound passengers to Nepal have also been advised not to fly to Nepal due to prevailing security situations. In the case of emergency, Bangladesh citizens have been requested to contact the Embassy (Cell:+977 9803872759: +977 9851128 381). A 36-member national football team and  a 51-member delegation from the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Mirpur, who came to Nepal as part of their overseas study tour, is stuck in Kathmandu. Their daily programmes are cancelled and they are scheduled to fly Dhaka on September 12, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Tuesday. The delegation is making daily assessments of the situation regarding their movement. The Bangladesh Embassy is fully in touch with them through their local coordinator. Nepal protesters set parliament ablaze following PM resignation One more person has been killed during ongoing protests in Nepal, bringing the total to 22, including 19, killed on Monday. Protesters set fire to Nepal's parliament building as anti-corruption protests escalate. They are dancing and chanting around fires, as all the windows have been smashed inside the building. It comes after the country's Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned.

All Bangladeshi nationals currently living or stuck in Nepal have strongly been advised not to move outside and stay at their respective places or hotels.The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu issued an urgent notice on Tuesday following the current situation in Nepal. All Bangladeshi nationals-inbound passengers to Nepal have also been advised not to fly to Nepal due to prevailing security situation. In case of emergency, Bangladesh citizens have been requested to contact the Embassy (Cell:+977 9803872759: +977 9851128 381). A 36-member national football team and a 51-member delegation from the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Mirpur, who came to Nepal as part of their overseas study tour, is stuck in Kathmandu. Their daily programmes are cancelled and they are scheduled to fly Dhaka on September 12, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Tuesday. The delegation is making daily assessments of the situation regarding their movement. The Bangladesh Embassy is fully in touch with them through their local coordinator. Meanwhile, Nepal has withdrawn its social media ban after violent clashes between demonstrators and police that left at least 19 people dead. On Monday, thousands of youths stormed the parliament building in Kathmandu, demanding the government lift restrictions on 26 platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, and urging action against corruption. The ban was revoked following an emergency cabinet meeting late Monday to "address the demands of Gen Z," Communications and Information Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung said, according to a BBC report. Over 100 people were injured in the unrest, which also spread to towns beyond the capital.  

Bangladesh’s Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain met with former Pakistan Prime Minister and Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore on Monday - confirmed Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, public relation officer for the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh. The meeting took place at Nawaz Sharif’s residence and covered issues of mutual interest between the two countries. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan was also present at  the meeting. During the meeting, Dr. Hossain stated that Bangladesh wants to strengthen relations with Pakistan. Additionally, he requested Punjab’s support in agriculture, technology, and scholarships for students. Nawaz Sharif said that the Pakistani people still hold affection for Bangladesh and that it was the right time to deepen ties. He praised Bangladesh’s economic development as well. New Pakistani High Commissioner meets BNP leader Fakhrul Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised Bangladesh’s garment sector, microcredit programs, and women’s participation in various fields and assured support in green energy, flood management and agriculture and expressed willingness to promote partnerships for regional peace and prosperity. Officials present at the meeting included the Adviser’s Secretary Sadequl Ahmed and Counsellor (Press) Md. Tayyeb Ali, along with senior officials from both countries.

A six-member delegation of the European Parliament, led by Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Mounir Satouri, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on September 15-19 which will hold a series of meetings with the stakeholders. The delegation will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz, representatives of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP), a senior official told UNB. The delegation members will also visit Cox’s Bazar and will hold a meeting with Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the official said.

A total of 22 exceptional young professionals from Bangladesh have been awarded the prestigious UK Government Chevening Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year. These scholars will soon travel to the United Kingdom to pursue one-year master’s degrees at world-class universities. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke handed over the award letters to the scholars in an event on Monday. The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. It offers fully funded opportunities for individuals with strong academic backgrounds and leadership potential to study in the UK. High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said, “My heartfelt congratulations to the 22 brilliant Cheveners from Bangladesh about to embark on this life-changing journey in the UK.” She said the Chevening programme reflects the strong Bangladesh-UK partnership, rooted in the shared values. “When these scholars return from their studies in the UK, they will be equipped with knowledge, confidence and purpose to make real change in their communities,” said the High Commissioner. Applications for the 2026/27 Chevening scholarships are now open and will close on October 7, 2025. UK working with Bangladesh to unlock new trade opportunities: Sarah Cooke The High Commission says interested candidates can apply at: www.chevening.org/apply Chevening was established in 1983 and has grown into a prestigious international awards programme. Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories. Over the past five years, almost 10,000 scholarships have been awarded globally. The Chevening Alumni network includes over 60,000 professionals worldwide, many of whom are influential leaders in their respective fields.

The government has decided to export 1,200 metric tonnes of hilsa to India, marking the upcoming Durga Puja, the biggest celebration of the Hindu community. The Commerce Ministry, in principle, has taken the decision of the ‘conditional’ export of hilsa to India like the previous years, a senior official told UNB on Monday. The ministry has invited applications from the interested exporters by September 11 and the government has fixed US$ 12.5 as minimum price for per kg hilsa export. In September last year, the government approved conditional export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India citing the Durga Puja.