United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi will remain open on Monday, but Bangladeshi citizens have been urged to prioritise their safety and stay in secure locations amid the prevailing situation. In a message issued on Sunday night, the Embassy of Bangladesh in the United Arab Emirates requested expatriate Bangladeshis to avoid visiting the embassy unless it is absolutely necessary for urgent matters. “Please rest assured that the government of Bangladesh and the Embassy stand firmly by your side, and the UAE government remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. Stay safe and remain informed,” the message said. Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Tareq Ahmed also echoed the call, urging Bangladeshi nationals to remain cautious and follow local advisories.

Three people, including a Bangladeshi national, were killed and 58 others injured in the United Arab Emirates since the launch of Iranian attacks on February 28, the UAE Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. The casualties include individuals of Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationalities. According to the ministry, the country’s air force and air defence systems have intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the beginning of the assault on February 28, 2026. On the second day of the attack, armed forces shot down 20 ballistic missiles, while eight others fell into the sea. Two cruise missiles and 311 drones were also destroyed, although 21 drones managed to hit civilian sites, demonstrating what the ministry described as the armed forces’ ability to counter multiple threats. Since the start of hostilities, 165 ballistic missiles launched from Iran were detected, of which 152 were intercepted and 13 fell into the sea. Both cruise missiles identified were successfully destroyed, reports Gulf News. Out of 541 drones tracked, 506 were intercepted, while 35 landed within the country, resulting in material damage. The ministry said falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones caused minor to moderate damage to several civilian properties in different parts of the country. Reaffirming its readiness, the ministry said the armed forces remain fully prepared to confront any threat, adding that ensuring the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains its top priority. The authorities also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified reports.

Bangladesh on Sunday condemned the violation of sovereignty of some countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh hopes that calm will prevail at the earliest, and peace, security and stability will be restored soonest across the region, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the wake of attacks on Iran, Bangladesh continues to be 'deeply concerned' at the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in this country. Khamenei’s death: Who will be Iran’s next supreme leader? Bangladesh warned that the continuation of hostilities will only endanger regional peace, stability and the wellbeing of civilian populations. Bangladesh called upon all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomacy to resolve the differences.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said he has urged Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh to take necessary measures to ensure that the incidents of ‘border killings’ do not happen in the future. “I told the Indian High Commissioner that we do not want to hear about any more border killings. The BGB and BSF should continue holding meetings on this issue and avoid such incidents as much as possible,” he said. He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the Home Ministry after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma at the Secretariat. Responding to a question about the discussions, the minister said border issues were discussed in detail. The Indian side expressed sincerity and assured that necessary instructions would be given to the relevant agencies, said the home Minister. When asked about Indian tourist visas, Salahuddin said Indian consulates and visa offices had come under attacks over the past one and a half years, which hampered full-scale visa operations. They have, however, assured that the visa activities will be resumed gradually, he added. The minister said the Indian High Commissioner paid a courtesy call as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements following the formation of a new government. “As neighbouring countries, we have trade and business relations with India. The High Commissioner also discussed security aspects,” he said. Besides, Bangladesh sought cooperation from India on the basis of mutual interest, dignity and benefit, he added. “We will maintain our relations. We expect India to uphold the relationship on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect across all areas, including trade, business and diplomacy,” said the minister.

The Bangladesh government is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad said on Saturday. He made the remarks while visiting passengers stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to the ongoing tense situation in the region. During the visit, the minister spoke with the stranded passengers, listened to their concerns, and assured them that the government is supporting them during this difficult time. “The safety and welfare of the passengers is our top priority. Coordination is ongoing with the concerned authorities to ensure their speedy travel once the situation normalizes,” he said, urging everyone to remain patient. Several international flights have been canceled amid the tension, leaving many Umrah passengers stranded. Flights to destinations including Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain have been suspended. Airport authorities and related agencies are working to manage the situation and provide information to passengers. Besides, Bangladesh expressed deep concern over the welfare of its citizens in the Middle East in the wake of recent hostilities in the region including Iran. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam held an emergency meeting to review the evolving situation in the Middle East in the evening. END/UNB/M-SIS/ssk

Bangladesh on Saturday expressed deep concern over the welfare of its citizens in the Middle East in the wake of recent hostilities in the region including Iran. Bangladesh has already initiated actions to ensure the safety and security of its premises in Tehran, its diplomats and other staff in the Embassy, as well as Bangladeshi students in Iran. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam held an emergency meeting to review the evolving situation in the Middle East in the evening.  During the meeting, they spoke to the Head of Bangladesh Mission in Tehran.  Bangladesh regrets the failure of negotiations and expresses deep concern at the latest escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  It re-emphasised the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country in the region.  Bangladesh said it strongly believes that conflict brings no solution and only dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international law can resolve disputes.  Bangladesh also urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalation and immediately pursue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate. Bangladesh reaffirmed its consistent position in favour of peace, stability and security in the Middle East, and called upon the international community to intensify efforts towards restoring calm and facilitating dialogue. The suspension of air traffic and air space is affecting Bangladeshi workers destined for the Middle East.  The government has already requested all the relevant countries to allow stranded citizens, including workers, destined for the Middle East to enter when the situation improves and received assurances from some of the countries in this regard.  Bangladesh authorities have also taken measures to accommodate the needs of stranded workers at different airports in Bangladesh. 

Speakers at a dialogue on Saturday said Bangladesh needs to proactively and strategically engage its global community, an estimated 2.4 million diaspora members across regions, particularly in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries. They said this community holds significant potential in investment, innovation, knowledge exchange, skills, networks, and policy engagement, yet much of this remains underutilised. The dialogue titled “Unlocking Diaspora Potential in Nation-Building" was held in Dhaka as Bangladesh enters a new phase under a new government. Jointly organised by BOND, Club JCI, Next 50, The Daily Star, and Oxfam in Bangladesh, the event brought together around 60 participants from Bangladesh and key diaspora locations, both in person and online. The discussion emphasised a structured national system for consistent diaspora engagement, noting current efforts remain dispersed, with limited institutional mechanisms and practices linking global Bangladeshis to national development priorities. Keynote speaker Dr Tanzil Shafique, Associate Professor at the University of Sheffield, said the core challenge is not diaspora interest but the lack of credible engagement pathways. Drawing on international experience, he proposed a four-layer model: a “Front Door” for entry, clear pathways for service, investment and knowledge, a trust infrastructure for transparency, and delivery partnerships across government, the private sector and institutions. Moderating the session, Md Sariful Islam, Head of Influencing, Communications, Advocacy and Media (ICAM) at Oxfam in Bangladesh, highlighted the need to move beyond a remittance-focused view of the diaspora. He noted that diaspora contributions need to extend to investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer, policy engagement, and international representation. Quazi M. Ahmed, founder of BOND, highlighted gaps in participation mechanisms and called for platforms that ensure coordination and trust. Anis Rahman, the former president of Billions for Bangladesh, emphasised the need for a functional, one-stop service to facilitate diaspora investments. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of the WARBE Development Foundation, noted that policy frameworks are required to connect diaspora engagement with migration, skills, and labour systems.Diaspora representatives shared their perspectives on opportunities and constraints. Muzahid Khan MBE DL from the UK stated that diaspora communities are interested in engaging with Bangladesh but require accessible platforms and clear processes. From a business and technology perspective, Syed Almas Kabir, former President of BASIS, referred to international examples, like those from India, and stressed the need for Bangladesh to develop mechanisms that support diaspora investment and collaboration. Representing the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Director Shah Nusrat Jahan outlined ongoing efforts to simplify procedures and encouraged diaspora stakeholders to engage with the agency. Former Ambassador Mosud Mannan reflected on his diplomatic experience, noting that diaspora members consistently expressed willingness to contribute, but previous initiatives lacked coordination and continuity. Additional contributions from participants across sectors—including health, technology, logistics, youth engagement, and entrepreneurship—pointed to opportunities for collaboration in areas such as digital innovation, supply chain systems, and enterprise development. Speakers including A Gafur, Dr Chowdhury H. Ahsan, Iqbal Bahar Zahid, Dr Ferdoush Saleheen, Monjur Chowdhury, Dr. Nehal Mahtab, Dr. Farazi Binti Ferdous, Shehtaz Chowdhury, Gazi Jishan, Belal Breaga Bakht, Imran Kadir, and Minhaz Anwar, SM Arifuzzaman, and others talked about the need for structured engagement mechanisms to enable these contributions. Venezuelan diaspora cautious despite Maduro’s ouster The dialogue concluded with proposed actions, including a National Diaspora Engagement Policy, an authority, a digital platform for verified opportunities, a revised diaspora bond, diaspora councils in key locations, and transparent systems for investment, reintegration, and dispute resolution. These recommendations are being compiled into a policy brief, highlighting the need to shift from fragmented efforts to structured systems enabling diaspora participation in national development.    

Bangladesh on Saturday advised its nationals in Qatar to exercise heightened caution and avoid areas near military installations amid security concerns due to the ongoing Iran-Israel ‘war’. In a statement issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in Doha, expatriates were urged to prioritise their safety by remaining indoors or staying in secure locations whenever possible. Citizens were specifically advised to avoid military facilities and to refrain from going outside unless absolutely necessary until the situation stabilises. The Embassy also instructed Bangladeshis to keep essential items readily available at all times, including cash, Qatar IDs, health cards, necessary medications, mobile phone chargers and dry food supplies. They were reminded to strictly comply with Qatari laws and closely follow all official announcements and directives issued by the host government. The Mission cautioned that sharing photos, videos or unverified information related to the situation on social media could violate local regulations, urging nationals to exercise restraint and responsibility online. Similar messages were conveyed to Bangladeshis residing in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq through Bangladesh Missions in those countries.  

Several Middle Eastern countries have temporarily closed their airspace amid rising regional security concerns following reported Israeli strikes in Iran, resulting in flight cancellations and delays on affected routes. Civil aviation authorities have suspended air traffic over countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai and Qatar, airport officials said. As a result, several scheduled commercial flights on these routes have been cancelled, delayed or rescheduled. In response, the authorities of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have issued instructions to all concerned airlines. Airlines have been asked to notify passengers in advance about any cancellations or delays via SMS, email and call centres. They have also been directed to ensure airline representatives remain present at the airport to provide necessary information and assistance to travellers. Additionally, clear and coordinated information regarding rescheduled flights must be communicated to minimise inconvenience. Passengers planning to travel on the affected routes are advised to urgently contact their respective airline offices or travel agencies to confirm flight status and take necessary steps. The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities said the situation is being closely monitored. They urged all passengers and airlines to cooperate to ensure safety and smooth operations. Travellers bound for destinations including Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have been requested not to proceed to the airport without first contacting Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 13636 for the latest flight updates, according to the airline’s General Manager (Public Relations).

Amid the ongoing war between two SAARC countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh has decided not to make any public comments but stressed that such war does not bring anything good. "It is an unfortunate matter. We are not saying anything in public but we are trying to make our friends understand that such war is not good for anyone," Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia early Saturday. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was also present. The Associated Press (AP) says Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions that led Pakistan’s defense minister to say on Friday that the two countries are in a state of “open war.” Pakistan, Afghanistan trade strikes as Defense Minister declares “Open War” Afghanistan launched an attack on Pakistan late Thursday, saying it was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, saying it targeted military installations. On the sidelines of the extraordinary ministerial session of the executive committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Foreign Minister Dr Rahman held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Foreign Minister of the Gambia, Sering Modou Njie; Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian; Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya; and also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Waleed A Elkhereiji, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties and agreed to work closely together to promote 'peace, stability, and shared prosperity' in the region, according to Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Dr Rahman, during his recent courtesy meeting with Secretary General of SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar on February 24, reiterated Bangladesh's conviction in abiding commitment to the principles enshrined in the SAARC Charter including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutual benefit of the peoples of member states.