United News of Bangladesh

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen has laid emphasis on enhancing the relations between Bangladesh and the United States. “I am thrilled to return to Bangladesh, a country I know so well," said Ambassador Christensen who is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on January 12. The US Ambassador said he is excited to lead a great team at Embassy Dhaka, Americans and locally employed staff alike, to "enhance U.S.-Bangladesh relations, advance President Trump's agenda, and work hard every day to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”  The US Embassy Dhaka welcomed Brent Christensen as the newly sworn-in Ambassador to Bangladesh. As a special invitee, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Khalilur Rahman also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Brent Christensen held in the US State Department. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Michael J. Rigas administered the oath.  The ceremony was attended by Bangladesh Ambassador to US, Embassy officials, senior State Department and Military officials, former US ambassadors to Bangladesh and US business leaders. In his  remarks, Deputy Secretary of State reiterated US commitment to continue to support Bangladesh in its journey to democratic transition. Read More: Dhaka, Washington discuss upcoming elections, economic, Rohingya issues Ambassador Christensen said, “The U.S supports Bangladesh in its journey towards a bright democratic future. I am excited to see the results and look forward to what the new elected government and I can do together to advance the U.S. -Bangladesh relations.” “I am honored to be confirmed by the United States Senate and deeply grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve as the next United States Ambassador to Bangladesh,” said the US Ambassador in a message from his Linkedin account recently. 

Bangladesh and the United States have discussed upcoming elections in Bangladesh, economic and trade relations, Rohingya issue and regional matters. National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman met Allison Hooker, Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs and Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary of State at the State Department in Washington DC and discussed the issues. In the meeting with Under-Secretary, Dr. Rahman briefed Ms. Hooker about the preparations and arrangements for the upcoming general elections and expressed appreciation for the support of the US to the interim government during its tenure, including for the elections, said Chief Adviser’s press wing on Saturday. Russia deploys new ballistic missile in massive strike on Ukraine, signaling the west Hooker responded that the US continues its strong support for the democratic transition in Bangladesh and looks forward to a free and fair elections in February. Dr. Rahman underscored the prospects of increased trade between the two countries following substantially enhanced Bangladeshi import of American farm products. He requested Hooker to ease travel of Bangladeshi businesspeople to the US in the context the of the recent visa bond, and if possible, to exempt B1 short term business visa for Bangladeshi businessmen from the visa bond. Hooker recognised the matter and assured that the US government will positively consider the step. She also indicated that if the overstay by the tourists declines substantially in future, the US might review the bond requirements that have been put in place. She also expressed deep appreciation for the cooperation of Bangladesh to the return of undocumented Bangladeshis.

Referring to ongoing talks between Bangladesh and Pakistan on the former's potential purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, India on Friday said it is closely monitoring developments that might have implications for its national security. "We keep a close watch on all developments that have a bearing on our national security," said Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a weekly media briefing in New Delhi. Asked about Bangladesh’s “potential interest” in procuring the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said, “I can’t talk about this today. Talks are underway. You will know once things are finalized.” Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Adviser Hossain and reviewed bilateral matters and discussed recent regional developments. They also appreciated the timely convening of the Extraordinary Session of the OIC CFM on January 10 in Jeddah. Responding to a question on direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi from January 29, and whether Dhaka needed New Delhi's permission to use Indian airspace, Jaiswal said, "Such issues will be dealt with as per air services agreement with Bangladesh." On minorities in Bangladesh, the MEA Spokesman said India continued to observe "a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on homes and business establishments of minorities by extremists in Bangladesh," adding that "such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly." Jaiswal also said India had noticed "a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, personal vendettas, political differences and other extraneous reasons." Dhaka asks key missions in India to suspend visa services over security concerns Jaiswal said that "such disregard only emboldens the perpetrators" and further causes fear and insecurity among minorities. "We have repeatedly addressed this issue in earlier briefings," Jaiswal said. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, the reported cases of communal violence stood at 51, including 10 murders, in December 2025.            

Pope Leo XIV on Friday expressed solidarity with victims of 'religiously motivated violence' in Bangladesh and other countries around the world. "Here, I would especially call to mind the many victims of violence, including religiously motivated violence in Bangladesh, in the Sahel region and in Nigeria, as well as those of the serious terrorist attack last June on the parish of Saint Elias in Damascus," he said. "Nor do I forget the victims of jihadist violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique." In his most substantial critique of U.S., Russian and other military incursions in sovereign countries, Pope Leo denounced how nations were using force to assert their dominion worldwide, “completely undermining” peace and the post-World War II international legal order. “War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” Leo told ambassadors from around the world who represent their countries’ interests at the Holy See. Leo didn’t name individual countries that have resorted to force in his lengthy speech, the bulk of which he delivered in English in a break from the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic protocol of Italian and French. But his speech came amid the backdrop of the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela to remove Nicolás Maduro from power, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and other conflicts. The occasion was the pope’s annual audience with the Vatican diplomatic corps, which traditionally amounts to his yearly foreign policy address. In his first such encounter, history’s first U.S.-born pope delivered much more than the traditional roundup of global hotspots. In a speech that touched on threats to religious freedom and the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion and surrogacy, Leo lamented how the United Nations and multilateralism as a whole were increasingly under threat, reports AP. “A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies,” he said. “The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.” “Instead, peace is sought through weapons as a condition for asserting one’s own dominion. This gravely threatens the rule of law, which is the foundation of all peaceful civil coexistence,” he said. Leo did refer explicitly to tensions in Venezuela, calling for a peaceful political solution that keeps in mind the “common good of the peoples and not the defense of partisan interests.” On Ukraine, Leo repeated his appeal for an immediate ceasefire and urgently called for the international community “not to waver in its commitment to pursuing just and lasting solutions that will protect the most vulnerable and restore hope to the afflicted peoples.” New Pope’s Christmas message highlights Gaza, Yemen, and migrant struggles On Gaza, Leo repeated the Holy See’s call for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and insisted on the Palestinians’ right to live in Gaza and the West Bank. Leo repeated the church’s opposition to abortion and euthanasia and expressed “deep concern” about projects to provide cross-border access to mothers seeking abortion. He also described surrogacy as a threat to life and dignity. “By transforming gestation into a negotiable service, this violates the dignity both of the child, who is reduced to a product, and of the mother, exploiting her body and the generative process, and distorting the original relational calling of the family,” he said.  

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman has proposed the US Trade Representative (USTR) to reduce the reciprocal tariff from current 20 percent.  US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer was learned to have agreed to positively consider this proposal. He also agreed to give serious consideration to Dr. Rahman's proposal to lower or eliminate US reciprocal tariff on apparel using US content. The NSA met Ambassador Greer in Washington DC on Thursday afternoon. Bangladesh, Germany sign grant agreements worth €21.77 million He also had a separate meeting with Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch. During the meeting with Ambassador Greer, Dr khalilur Rahman briefed him on the progress in reducing trade gap between Bangladesh and the United States. "Even before the formal execution of the reciprocal trade agreement, Bangladesh has made major strides in reducing the trade gap by substantially increasing imports from the US and has implemented some key aspects of the agreement," Dr Khalilur Rahman said. Both sides agreed to rapidly resolve a handful of outstanding matters in order that the reciprocal tariff agreement could be finalized and executed expeditiously. Dr Khalilur Rahman pointed out that business contacts between Bangladesh and the US are expected to increase significantly in the coming days as a result of increased trade between the two countries. He invited Ambassador Greer to use his good office to ease business travels by Bangladesh in light of the recent inclusion of Bangladesh in the US visa bond. US yellow corn shipment reaches Bangladesh Dr Khalilur Rahman also took the opportunity to request Bangladesh's access to DFC  funding for its private sector. Ambassador Greer assured Dr Khalilur  Rahman of his efforts in these regards. Bangladesh Ambassador to the US, Tareq Md Ariful Islam, accompanied the National Security Adviser while Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch and other officials were with the USTR. Dr Khalilur Rahman is also expected to meet senior US State Department officials tomorrow.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, ahead of a Minister-level meeting of the OIC. The two counterparts reviewed bilateral matters and discussed recent regional developments. They also appreciated the timely convening of the extraordinary session of the OIC CFM. The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has announced that an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers will be held on Saturday at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah, to discuss the rapidly evolving and dangerous developments in the Federal Republic of Somalia. The meeting comes against the backdrop of recent developments, namely Israel's declaration – the occupying power – of its recognition of the so-called "Somaliland" region as an independent state, a move that is considered an infringement on Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting aims to formulate a unified Islamic position regarding these developments, and to reaffirm unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in accordance with international conventions and relevant resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Bangladesh and European Union have finalised the text of the comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and once signed, it will serve as the "legal and political foundation" for the strategic and long-term relationship between Bangladesh and the EU. The two sides think It will help strengthen relations in many policy areas, from human rights and governance to trade, investment, environmental sustainability and climate change as well as food security, energy, transport and science, technology and innovation. Moreover, Dhaka on Thursday said the agreement will also be a significant milestone as Bangladesh moves towards becoming the first South Asian country to sign a PCA with the European Union. Fifth round of negotiations between Bangladesh and the European Union on the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) was held on January 7-8 in Dhaka and Sylhet. Through the negotiations, both sides finalised the text of the agreement. A 3-member delegation of the European Union is currently visiting Bangladesh for this purpose. Secretary (Bilateral) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam led the Bangladesh delegation while the European Union side was led by the Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Millar and high officials of the European Union were also present both physically and virtually during the negotiations. Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the European Union, Representatives from relevant Ministries and Departments of Bangladesh Government assisted Dr Islam in the meeting. The negotiations on the proposed PCA started with the Explanatory Meeting between Bangladesh and EU in Dhaka in November 2024. Since then, the two sides engaged in five rounds of discussions and several technical meetings in Dhaka and Brussels, both physically and virtually. The fifth round focused particularly on some key thematic areas of mutual interests between Bangladesh and the European Union, including legal and judicial cooperation, intellectual property rights, energy cooperation, fisheries, aquaculture and ocean governance, trade and investment, human rights, customs cooperation, etc. Both sides engaged in a constructive discussion for reaching out a comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that reflects the evolving priorities of the Bangladesh-EU relationship and also addresses emerging global challenges. After successful negotiations, the text of the PCA agreement has been agreed upon by both the Parties, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier on Wednesday, the European Union delegation had courtesy calls on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. During the meetings, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues covering Bangladesh–EU relations, including the PCA Agreement, upcoming general elections and referendum, combating illegal migration, cooperation in renewable energy, and expanding trade and investment. The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election in Bangladesh. The Foreign Adviser underscored Bangladesh’s position on a constructive, forward looking and result-oriented engagement with the European Union. Pampaloni stressed the importance of a peaceful election in Bangladesh and mentioned that Bangladesh–EU relations could reach new heights following a successful democratic transition, ushering in a new era of engagement between Dhaka and the world’s largest economic bloc.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday (January 08, 2026) confirmed that they have asked its three key diplomatic missions in India to keep their visa sections closed for a time being on security grounds. “What I have done is that I have asked our three missions to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. It’s a security issue,” he said while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Though he did not mention the names of the missions, a diplomatic source said the three missions are Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and Bangladesh Assistant High Commission Agartala. There are Bangladesh Missions stationed in Mumbai and Chennai, too. Read more: Delhi summons Bangladesh envoy amid growing tensions Responding to a question on cricketers’ safety issue, the Foreign Adviser said he fully supports what Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul had said. Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reaffirmed on Wednesday that Bangladesh will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating the nation’s demand to have their matches relocated to co-host Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media following a meeting with directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Asif Nazrul said while the nation is eager to participate it cannot be at the expense of national dignity or player safety. “We have discussed the situation. The Bangladesh team played hard and fought to qualify for the T20 World Cup, and as a cricket-crazy nation, we certainly want to play in the World Cup,” he said. “We will certainly play outside India,” said Foreign Adviser Hossain. Asked about the impact of this in bilateral relations, the Foreign Adviser said this issue came afresh though at various times various issues came and each issue will have negative impacts to some extent. Read more: Bangladesh voices concern to India over attacks on missions Talking about keeping business relations unhurt, the Adviser said if they find their interest in purchasing rice at a cheaper price, the business people will go for that. Asked about Bangladesh’s ‘potential interest’ in procuring the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, the Foreign Adviser said, “I can’t tell about this today. Talks are underway. You will know once things are finalised.”

The governments of Bangladesh and Germany on Thursday signed grant agreements worth a total of €21.77 million for five projects proposed by the German development agency GIZ. The projects are Policy Advisory for Promoting Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (PAP) II, Strengthening Urban Integration Capacities of Internally Displaced Persons and Supporting Host Communities (INTEGRATE), Professional Education in Industrial and Environmental Safety (PRECISE), Green Room Air-Conditioning (GRACE) and Digital Skills to Succeed in Asia (DS2S). The agreements were signed at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in Dhaka. ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddique signed the agreements on behalf of the Bangladesh government, while Heinrich-Juergen Schilling, Country Director of GIZ Office Dhaka, signed on behalf of the German government. Under the PAP II project, which will be implemented by the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2029, the German government has allocated a grant of €9 million. The project aims to improve institutional, economic and human resource conditions to support a socially just and environmentally sustainable energy transition. The INTEGRATE project will be implemented by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027 with a grant of €4.8 million. The funding will be used to promote the economic empowerment of women, including persons with disabilities, who have been affected and displaced due to climate change-induced natural disasters. The PRECISE project will be implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board under the Technical and Madrasa Education Division of the Ministry of Education from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029. The German government has allocated €7 million in grant assistance for the project to strengthen the capacity of the TVET sector in Bangladesh. The GRACE project will be implemented through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2028 with a grant of €0.8 million. The project aims to promote climate-friendly and energy-efficient room air-conditioning systems, known as Green AC, as part of national policy initiatives. For the DS2S project, the German government has approved an additional grant of €0.175212 million and extended the project period until December 2026.  

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said the latest decision taken by the US administration against Bangladesh, among a group of countries, is very unfortunate and even hurtful, but not unusual given ongoing immigration-related issues. “This decision has not been imposed on Bangladesh alone. Bangladesh is among the countries facing immigration-related problems. To me, it is nothing abnormal, certainly unfortunate. It hurts us,” he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Adviser Hossain said the issue, which is policy-related, has been continuing for a long time, but this government has raised its voice against irregular migration since day one. “The only solution is to stop irregular migration,” he said, adding that news reports still frequently mention deaths during dangerous crossings, including people dying while attempting to cross the Mediterranean or being rescued from drowning. The Foreign Adviser said, “You have seen the American strategy - the largest number of Bangladeshis are among those who take money from their social system there.” He said if restrictions are imposed on some countries and Bangladesh is among them, it does not seem unusual to him. “Of course, it is sad. Of course, it is painful for us, but it is not unusual. If everyone had gone in the last one year, I would have said that we are responsible.” He said this system has been in place for a long time. “So if responsibility is assumed to lie with someone politically, it rests with all previous governments. We have not been able to change it, and it is not possible to change it overnight.” The administration of US President Donald Trump has added 25 more countries, including Bangladesh, to a list of nations whose citizens may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for entry into the United States. When asked whether the government would take steps to stop the imposition of visa bonds, the Adviser said, “It has just happened. We will follow the normal procedure. We will try to get exempted.” According to the US State Department website, any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The bond amount will be determined at the time of the visa interview. Applicants must agree to the bond terms through the US Treasury Department’s online payment platform, Pay.gov, the State Department said. The list mostly includes countries from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, bringing the total to 38 countries as of Tuesday. The policy for the newly added nations will take effect on January 21.