United News of Bangladesh

Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday. The Pakistan Planning Minister met the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna, according to CA’s press wing. Maldives President Muizzu arrives in Dhaka During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest.

President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday morning to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new cabinet. Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain received the Maldivian President at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Bangladesh were established on 22 September 1978. Dr Muizzu is the 8th President of the Republic of the Maldives.  He earlier congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s remarkable victory in the 13th national parliamentary elections held on February 12. Commercial engagements with Bangladesh to expand: Maldives President The President of the Maldives extended his warm regards and said he looks forward to working closely together, to further advance and deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and Bangladesh.  "I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow in scope and strength in the years ahead," said the President of Maldives.

President of the Republic of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu will meet newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman after attending his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.  The President is paying an official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new Bangladesh government. "The visit will take place from February 16 to 18," said the President's office. Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Bangladesh were established on 22 September 1978. Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel will accompany the President at the swearing-in ceremony, a senior official told UNB.  Dr Muizzu id 8th President of the Republic of the Maldives.  He earlier congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s remarkable victory in the 13th national parliamentary elections held on February 12. The President of the Maldives extended his warm regards and said he looks forward to working closely together, to further advance and deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and Bangladesh.  "I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow in scope and strength in the years ahead," said the President of Maldives.

Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Bala Nanda Sharma is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka Monday night to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh. The Minister will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines from Kathmandu 10:15 pm and will return to Kathmandu on February 19, a senior official told UNB. The Foreign Minister’s visit reflects Nepal’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and deepening the bonds of cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh, said the Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, Minister Sharma will be accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister of Nepal Sushila Karki congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, noting that her country eyes strong ties with Bangladesh. "Warm congratulations to the Government and the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the 13th parliamentary elections," she said in a message. The Nepal’s Prime Minister extended her heartiest congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to a remarkable victory in the elections . "I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our neighbourly ties and consolidate cooperation in areas of mutual interest," she said.    

Minister of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka Dr Nalinda Jayatissa will represent Sri Lanka at the oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet of Bangladesh with Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister on Tuesday.  Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias saw off the Sri Lankan Minister at the Colombo airport on Monday morning, a senior official told UNB. Tarique Rahman will assume office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh following the landslide victory of BNP under his leadership in the 13th parliamentary election. ‘Advisers proud citizens’; will attend oath-taking ceremony: Shafiqul Alam The participation of the Sri Lankan Minister at this historic occasion underscores the strong and friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the official said.  

The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh has appreciated the credible conduct of the 13th parliamentary elections by the people of Bangladesh and congratulated all political parties and leaders, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its Chairman Tarique Rahman, on their victory. In a message shared on February 15, the Japanese embassy said it expects the smooth and peaceful formation of a new government and expressed its interest in further advancing the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. 

Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla will represent 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), on February 17. The Speaker’s participation in this ‘important event’ underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and India, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday. Although it was not mentioned in the MEA’s statement, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will accompany the Speaker, a diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB. Modi talks to Tarique over phone, reaffirms India's support As neighbours united by a shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomed Bangladesh's transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the people, the MEA said in a statement. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony as BNP is set to form the government with a landslide victory against an alliance led by Jamaat-NCP. "Yes, we have received the invitation from Prof Yunus," a diplomatic source from New Delhi told UNB on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, he said, the India AI Imact Summit will take place in New Delhi from the 16th to the 20th of this month. About 20 heads of State, including President Macron, will be hosted by India around the same time, another source from Delhi told UNB, indicating that Prime Minister Modi is unable to come but will send his representative. The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will mark a historic milestone in global cooperation on Artificial Intelligence. It will be the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. The Indian Prime Minister was one of the global leaders who congratulated BNP first. He spoke with the BNP chief over the phone and extended support in his endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. Indian parliament pays tributes to Bangladesh’s former PM Khaleda Zia "Delighted to speak with Tarique Rahman. I congratulated him on the remarkable victory in the Bangladesh elections," PM Modi said. He conveyed his best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples," said the Indian Prime Minister. In a separate message through his X handle, PM Modi conveyed his warm congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. "This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership," PM Modi said. India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, he said. "I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals," PM Modi said. Indian Parliament to pay homage today to Khaleda Zia The new cabinet members of Bangladesh’s incoming government will be sworn in at 4pm on Tuesday at the South Plaza of Parliament, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin administering the oath. Leaders of other South Asian countries have also been invited. On the other hand, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen will represent China at the swearing-in ceremony.

The United Kingdom (UK) has said it will work closely with Bangladesh on their shared priorities of economic growth, migration, climate and security, building on the strong connections between their people. “We look forward to the new government advancing democratic, economic and social reforms,” said a spokesperson at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The spokesperson said they welcome the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, which took place on February 12, and noted that the peaceful electoral process delivered conclusive results. “This represents an important step forward in Bangladesh’s ambitions and the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” said the British government official. Earlier, the United Kingdom congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party on election victory. The UK also greeted the people of Bangladesh as the country enters a new chapter. "We look forward to working together on our shared priorities: economic growth, migration, climate, and security," said the British High Commission in Dhaka on Friday in a message through its verified X handle.

Germany has congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - on the election victory. “Germany looks forward to working closely with the new government and the Jatiya Sangsad to further strengthen our political and economic ties, and to continue supporting Bangladesh on its path of democratic reforms and development,” said the German Embassy in Dhaka in a message on Saturday. Germany also commended the people of Bangladesh for their participation in the electoral process, a meaningful expression of democratic engagement, and extended their congratulations to all newly elected Members of Parliament.  

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has extended her congratulations to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party following their victory in the parliamentary elections. “I commend all citizens and institutions who contributed to a peaceful electoral process and referendum and reaffirm the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting Bangladesh and its democracy,” she said in a message on Saturday. The Commonwealth Observer Group commended the peaceful conduct of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and the July Charter referendum, while highlighting areas where further progress on inclusion and accessibility could strengthen the democratic process. Commonwealth calls Bangladesh elections acceptable, orderly Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, Chairperson Nana Akufo-Addo said, “The people of Bangladesh have exercised their democratic rights in pursuit of the fulfilment of their aspirations. We encourage them to be magnanimous and united in their shared democratic future.”