United News of Bangladesh

The Russian Embassy in Bangladesh on Saturday held commemorative events to mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Students from the Embassy School, together with their teachers, prepared a celebratory concert. The children performed dances and songs and recited poems about the Great Patriotic War. Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin thanked the students and teachers for their reverent attitude toward our country's history and their diligence, as they had been preparing for the performance for several months. The celebration also included patriotic events such as the Candle of Memory and the Garden of Memory. Such events have been held at the Embassy for several years and have become a long-standing tradition. To honor the memory of veterans, diplomatic mission staff and their families prepared the "Immortal Regiment" exhibition, which provided a wonderful opportunity to share family stories. Victory Day celebrations in Bangladesh were also marked by a motorcycle and car rally on the streets of the capital's Gulshan district. Staff of the Russian Embassy in Bangladesh and the Russian House, school teachers and students, compatriots, and graduates of Soviet and Russian universities participated in the event. Ambassador Alexander Khozin, Director of the Russian House Alexandra Khlevnoy, Chairperson of the Compatriots Association “Rodina“ Elena Bass, Head of the Soviet Alumni Association Mizanur Rahman, and Chairman of the Liberation War Academy Trust Abul Azad delivered remarks to the participants. The motorcycle rally has become a unique tradition that annually unites Dhaka residents who are passionate about Russian history and wish to honor the memory of those who contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Saturday noted the recent momentum in bilateral engagements and shared their desire to further strengthen relations between the two countries. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam met the visiting Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control of Pakistan Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi over breakfast at a local hotel in Dhaka. During the meeting, the two ministers discussed various issues of bilateral interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement and cooperation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  They agreed that there remains significant untapped potential for broadening and deepening cooperation in areas including trade and commerce, sports, culture, women entrepreneurship, education, science and technology and digital innovation and underscored the importance of enhanced people-to-people contacts and greater institutional collaboration. The State Minister also reiterated the government of Bangladesh’s commitment to revitalizing the SAARC as an important platform for regional collaboration and prosperity. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation for the collective benefit of the peoples of South Asia.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu, in collaboration with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, hosted a networking dinner this evening at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in honour of the prominent Nepali and Bangladeshi businessmen attending in the South Asia Trade Fair 2026. The programme brings together distinguished Nepali business leaders, representatives of leading chamber bodies including FNCCI, NCC, NFTA, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, diplomats, and Bangladeshi exhibitors participating in the regional trade fair. A total of 24 Bangladeshi business enterprises are participating in the fair, showcasing Bangladesh’s growing export-oriented companies in manufacturing sectors including ready-made garments, handicrafts, jute and jute products etc. Nepalese envoy expounds on wide-ranging scope for bilateral cooperation during Rangpur visit

Indian Naval ship, INS Sunayna, arrived at Chattogram Port on Friday on a three-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh. Upon its arrival at the port, the ship was warmly received by the Chief Staff Officer of the Commander Chattogram Naval Area. Officers and sailors of the visiting ship were welcomed with traditional ceremonial music by a smartly turned-out band of the Bangladesh Navy. Among others, officials from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh and senior officers of the Bangladesh Navy were present during the reception. Earlier, as the vessel entered Bangladeshi waters, Bangladesh Navy ship ‘Ali Haider’ provided a customary escort and welcome.

The Algerian Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday commemorated Algeria’s National Day of Remembrance, paying tribute to the victims of the May 8, 1945 massacres and drawing parallels between Algeria’s struggle for independence and Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971. Speaking at the event, the Algerian ambassador said the massacres in Sétif, Guelma and Kherrata marked a turning point in Algeria’s history and exposed the harsh realities of French colonial rule. The envoy said this year’s theme, “The Massacres of May 8, 1945: Dimensions, Visions, Impacts,” highlights both the historical significance of the events and their lasting impact on Algeria’s national identity. Recalling the events of May 8, 1945, the ambassador said Algerians had marched peacefully demanding justice, dignity and freedom at a time when the world was celebrating the end of World War II. Many Algerians had expected political reforms and greater rights after supporting France during the war, but those hopes were shattered when promised recognition and reforms were denied. The speech highlighted the killing of young demonstrator Bouzid Saal, who was shot after refusing to lower the Algerian flag during the demonstration. His death later became a symbol of Algeria’s struggle for freedom and self-determination, the envoy said. According to the ambassador, the violence quickly spread across Sétif, Guelma and Kherrata as French authorities and settler militias launched a large-scale crackdown that lasted for weeks. Villages were destroyed, civilians were killed and thousands lost their lives. The speech noted that many historians estimate the death toll at around 45,000. Despite the tragedy, the ambassador said the sacrifices of those who marched for freedom continue to inspire younger generations and remain a symbol of resilience, patriotism and dignity. The envoy said the events of May 8, 1945 eventually led to the rise of organised resistance movements, including the Special Organization (OS), which later contributed to the formation of the National Liberation Front (FLN) that launched Algeria’s independence revolution on November 1, 1954. The ambassador also noted that the massacres remain a sensitive issue in Algeria-France relations. While France described the events in 2005 as an “inexcusable tragedy,” Algeria continues to seek fuller recognition and accountability for what it considers crimes against humanity. Highlighting Algeria’s independence achieved on July 5, 1962 after 132 years of colonial rule, the envoy said the country continues to draw strength from its history while working toward progress and opportunities for its youth. The ambassador also drew similarities between the Algerian struggle and Bangladesh’s Liberation War, saying both nations experienced oppression and fought for the right to self-determination. Calling for unity and cooperation, the envoy urged people to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters and martyrs who gave their lives for their nations. The programme ended with slogans celebrating Algeria, Bangladesh and the friendship between the two countries.

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation to prevent illegal trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka by Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi on behalf of their respective countries. Under the MoU, the two countries will exchange information and provide technical assistance to combat drug trafficking and drug-related money laundering. Both sides also agreed to regularly share intelligence regarding suspected drug traffickers, criminal organisations, new smuggling routes and emerging trafficking methods. According to the agreement, Bangladesh and Pakistan will exchange information on drug traffickers, drug trafficking organisations (DTOs) and new concealment techniques used for smuggling narcotics. The two countries will also conduct coordinated intelligence operations, including controlled delivery operations, on the basis of mutual requests to curb drug trafficking. The MoU further includes cooperation in training and capacity building for officials involved in narcotics control, as well as exchange of scientific research findings related to drug prevention and enforcement. The agreement also includes technical cooperation, including sharing experiences in the use of equipment for detecting concealed narcotics and sniffer dogs. Under the arrangement, Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control and Pakistan’s Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) will serve as focal points for regular and operational information exchange. Both countries agreed to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all exchanged information and documents, ensuring that no information is shared with any third party without consent. The MoU will remain valid for 10 years from the date of signing and may be extended later through mutual agreement. Both sides expressed hope that the cooperation would help ensure public health and security in the two countries by strengthening efforts against narcotics trafficking and abuse.

The aspect of security for India is a very important element of India's policy in the neighborhood, said Pankaj Saran, Convenor of NatStrat, a Delhi-based independent centre for research on strategic and security issues, noting that India is keen to build ‘new page’ in ties with Bangladesh after elections. "We have to see how the new government in Bangladesh will manage its relations with China, Pakistan, and the United States, and where India will fit into this," said the expert, who served in key positions within the Government of India in the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council Secretariat, the Ministry of External Affairs, and in several Indian Missions abroad. On the one hand, India has a focus on security for its own interests but on the other hand, what India also wants to do is to ensure that it pursues policies in the neighborhood, minus Pakistan, he said. "China has borders with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. So, China's relationship with all these countries also becomes important for us," said Pankaj Saran, a former diplomat with forty years of experience in foreign, strategic, and national security affairs.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday attended the appreciation dinner hosted by the BNP high-level delegation following its visit to China. Ambassador Yao congratulated the delegation on the successful visit to China, noting that this visit further enhanced political mutual trust between the two sides, according to the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen exchanges on governance experience, promote high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, and advance the continuous development of the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. A 19-member high-level delegation of BNP visited China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in mid-April. BNP Secretary General, and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who led the delegation, expressed gratitude at the dinner for the warm and thoughtful arrangements made by the Chinese host and highly praised the outcomes of the visit. He further stated that China is a trusted and reliable friend and partner of Bangladesh. BNP attaches great importance to developing relations with China, adheres to the one-China principle, and is willing to further strengthen exchanges between the two parties and the two countries, learn from China’s development experience in various fields, and promote new achievements in Bangladesh-China friendly cooperation.  

Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar entered Chattogram harbour on Friday following a 'successful transit' through the Bay of Bengal. This high-profile port call, part of the IOS SAGAR 2026 multinational deployment, is a testament to the steadfast partnership between the Indian Navy and the Bangladesh Navy, highlighting the strong bonds between the two neighbouring countries, said the government of India on Friday. The ship was welcomed into Bangladesh waters by BNS Ali Haider (F17) and was escorted to harbour. Upon arrival, the Commanding Officer (CO) of IOS Sagar will undertake a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, including calls on the Commander Chattogram Naval Area (COMCHIT), the Commander Bangladesh Naval Fleet (COMBAN), the Area Superintendant Dockyard (ASD). These interactions aim to consolidate the maritime exchanges between the two navies. The port visit of IOS Sagar features a robust itinerary of professional, social, and commemorative events which includes the following:- Welcome Reception COMCHIT will host a welcome reception on arrival evening for IOS SAGAR in company of the top brass from the Bangladesh Armed Forces. A deck reception will be hosted by IOS SAGAR the following evening to celebrate culmination of a successful port call at Chattogram. Commemoration and Honour Commanding officer IOS SAGAR would pay homage to the shared sacrifices in our collective history through a solemn wreath-laying ceremony scheduled at the Chattogram Commonwealth War Cemetery under the arrangement of COMCHIT. Operational Exchange Commanding Officer IOS SAGAR, will call on the Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) to discuss maritime logistics and port security. This will be followed by mutual ship visits, where personnel of Bangladesh Navy and international crew of IOS SAGAR will engage in professional cross deck visits. Training and Capacity Building The crew will visit the BNS ISSA KHAN Training Complex and the Bangladesh Naval Academy, fostering a deeper understanding of naval training methodologies and opportunities for mutual capacity building. Camaraderie and Sports Diplomacy A friendly football match between both the navies will highlight the esprit de corps shared between the two services. IOS Sagar’s presence in Chattogram is a practical manifestation of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative, demonstrating a shared commitment to a secure and stable Indian Ocean Region.

An IMF capacity development team led by Jonathan Pampolina visited Kathmandu and Birgunj from April 20 to May 6, 2026 at the request of the Government of Nepal to conduct a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic (GCD). Building on the scoping mission last January 12–21, 2026 and the structural reform agenda under the current Extended Credit Facility, the GCD marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s engagement with the IMF to strengthen governance, reduce corruption vulnerabilities, and advance macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth. The GCD is designed to identify macro-critical governance weaknesses in institutions, policies, and practices that can undermine economic performance, fiscal sustainability, business and investment climate, and public trust. The GCD will provide concrete, well-sequenced, and prioritized reform recommendations to address corruption risks, that are binding constraints on Nepal’s economic development. Following the election of a single majority government with a strong reform mandate, Nepal has a unique window of opportunity to advance a transformative governance agenda and unlock stronger, more inclusive medium-term growth. Reflecting the breadth of the GCD, the mission brought together experts from several IMF departments, including Fiscal Affairs, Monetary and Capital Markets, and Legal. The team worked closely with government counterparts and other stakeholders to assess governance and corruption vulnerabilities across core state functions, consistent with the IMF’s 2018 Governance Framework. The team held extensive discussions with Nepali authorities responsible for public financial management (including budget, public investment management, state-owned enterprises, and public procurement), revenue administration (tax and customs), financial sector oversight, anti-money laundering, and rule of law. Engagements with anti-corruption and oversight institutions focused on the effectiveness of legal and institutional frameworks to prevent, detect, and address macro-critical corruption risks. The team also consulted broadly with representatives from civil society organizations, academicians, think tanks, private sector, business associations, and international development partners. These discussions provided valuable perspectives on governance challenges, reform priorities, and opportunities to strengthen accountability, transparency, and trust in public institutions. The IMF team would like to thank the Nepali authorities and all stakeholders for their strong engagement, gracious welcome, and open, candid, and constructive dialogue. Collaboration on the GCD will continue after the main mission. A draft report setting out the findings and proposing a sequenced and prioritized reform plan is expected to be shared with the authorities for further input in the coming months. The final report will be published, upon authorities’ consent.