Dhaka: Six senior officials from Bangladesh’s leading intelligence agencies are set to visit Washington, D.C., following an official invitation from the United States. The visit is scheduled to take place from April 10 to April 15. According to sources, the delegation includes two officials each from three major agencies: the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), the National Security Intelligence (NSI), and the Special Branch (SB). They are expected to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral intelligence cooperation and enhance information sharing on internal and regional security matters. During the visit, discussions will focus on security collaboration, strategic coordination, and exchange of intelligence between the two countries.

The Special Branch representatives reportedly include an Additional Inspector General and a Special Superintendent of Police. However, the identities of officials from the other agencies have not been disclosed. The visit has been approved by Bangladesh’s new government, and analysts believe it could further deepen security ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

DHAKA – The United Kingdom (UK) today expressed interest in participating in ground handling operations at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The interest was shown when UK Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster paid a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

During the meeting, discussions focused on prospects for increased investment in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Both sides emphasised strengthening bilateral trade relations and enhancing cooperation in key sectors. The UK trade envoy assured continued support for Bangladesh in implementing the electoral manifesto of the current democratic government.

The minister and state minister expressed their commitment to working jointly with the United Kingdom to further develop the country’s aviation and tourism industries.

Desk Report: A new development has emerged in the widely discussed Bangladesh Bank reserve heist case. As part of a significant step forward in the proceedings, a court in New York has directed former governor Ahsan H. Mansur to provide a deposition. According to the court’s order, he is scheduled to testify on April 10.

This information was revealed in an internal document from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The document states that on March 11, legal representatives involved in the case confirmed the court’s directive via email. They also informed the relevant parties about preparations for the deposition.

According to the document, Mansur has already submitted an affidavit at the court’s request. The next phase requires him to give an in-person deposition. To facilitate this, the legal firms appointed by Bangladesh Bank have arranged preparatory meetings for him on April 6 and April 10.

It has been reported that Mansur departed Dhaka for the United States on April 4. He is expected to travel via Washington, D.C., before arriving in New York. His return to the country is scheduled for April 12.

Sources indicate that a related official has been requested to accompany him on the trip. The BFIU document also notes that all expenses for the visit—including airfare, accommodation, and protocol—will be covered by Bangladesh Bank. He is expected to receive facilities equivalent to those of the current governor, with arrangements coordinated by the governor’s office.

DHAKA – Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said premier’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

DHAKA – A European Union (EU) delegation led by its Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller today met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said premier’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

DHAKA – US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The US envoy met the premier at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this noon, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

During the meeting, the US ambassador handed over two photographs and a replica of the White House to the Prime Minister. One photograph features Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former US President Jimmy Carter, while the other shows former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and former US President George Bush Sr.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir were present at the meeting. During the meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interest.

DHAKA – Bangladesh received a special honour from the U.S. state of Georgia in recognition of its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide. According to an ISPR press release, a resolution was presented to Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Tuesday, acknowledging the professionalism and dedication of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp handed over the resolution during a State Senate session. It was adopted with bipartisan support, praising Bangladesh’s significant global role in peacekeeping. The initiative was led by State Senator Sheikh Rahman.

Earlier, the Army Chief met Governor Kemp to discuss issues of mutual interest, including military cooperation. The Army Chief has been on an official visit to the United States since March 28.

DHAKA  – Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has requested the United States to grant Bangladesh a special waiver to import refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russian sources to ease energy pressures. The request was made during a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at the Department of Energy in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, according to a message received here today.

During the talks, the foreign minister highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing energy challenges stemming from global supply chain disruptions, particularly ahead of the critical planting season, and stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for farmers and safeguard food security.

Rahman explained that Bangladesh could not take advantage of the earlier limited world-wide waiver by US on Russian oil at sea since none of the tankers were bound for Bangladesh at that time. Besides, the two sides discussed the options to buy more refined oil out of Russian crude from third countries to meet immediate need.

US Energy Secretary Wright acknowledged the energy challenges Bangladesh is facing and expressed his country’s commitment to support Bangladesh during these difficult times to help ensure its energy security.

He said the US will positively consider the requests of Bangladesh and assured that he and his team would work closely with the relevant departments of the US government to this end. The two sides also discussed longer-term cooperation for sustainable energy solutions for Bangladesh and the prospects of increasing procurement of US energy products.

Secretary Chris Wright was assisted by Chief of Staff to the Secretary Carl Cole, Senior Advisor to the Secretary Audrey Robertson, Senior Advisor to the Secretary Andrew Rapp, Director, Office of Asian Affairs Margaux Murali and Fellow, Office of Asian Affairs Hamna Khan. From Bangladesh side, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Deputy Chief of Mission DM Salahuddin Mahmud and Economic Minister Dr. Md. Fazle Rabbi attended the meeting with the Foreign Minister.

DHAKA – The newly-formed government of Bangladesh has received congratulations and full support from 47 countries during discussions on Bangladesh at the 356th Governing Body session of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. The countries expressed their commitment to work in cooperation with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government, which assumed office with a public mandate through a free, fair and credible election, according to a message received here Today.

The discussion also addressed a case filed in June 2019 under Article 26 of the ILO Constitution by five worker representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation, accusing the then government of failing to comply with Conventions 81, 87, and 98.

In response, the previous government submitted a five-year labour sector reform roadmap to the ILO Governing Body in 2021. Progress on the roadmap has been reviewed in eight Governing Body sessions over the past five years, and the current government today presented the ninth progress report.

Representatives from all participating countries voiced their support for the current government. Of the 56-member Governing Body, 19 member states, 28 countries from two regional groups, and employers’ representatives praised the new government’s strong commitment to legal and administrative reforms in the labour sector and urged the rapid settlement of the ongoing case.

Bangladesh’s delegation included Minister of Labour, Employment, and Expatriates’ Welfare Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Labour, Employment, and Education Mahdi Amin. Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to Geneva Nahida Sobhan and Secretary of Labour Abdur Rahman Tarafdar were also present.

At the outset of the discussion, Adviser Mahdi Amin conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to all Governing Body members and highlighted the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to labour rights, worker protection, and social justice. He noted that the Bangladeshi people had given the government a strong electoral mandate emphasizing citizens’ rights, human rights, rule of law, freedom of speech, broad-based employment creation, quality education, skills development, and merit-based growth. The adviser said these priorities align with the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.

He also informed the session that a parliamentary special committee had been formed to enact the Bangladesh Labour Law Amendment Ordinance 2025 and assured that the government would expedite the process. He stressed that the government is positively disposed toward amendments developed through tripartite discussions, which will enable inclusive, sustainable, and employment-driven development.

Reaffirming Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s firm commitment to institutionalizing democracy, strengthening democratic values, and ensuring workers’ rights, the adviser sought continued support from the ILO and other stakeholders. After extensive discussions, it was unanimously decided that the next session on the case will be held in March next year.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering support and solidarity with Bangladesh during a meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters.

The meeting took place with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, where the Secretary-General extended his sincere congratulations to the newly formed government of Bangladesh.

During the discussion, Guterres highly praised Bangladesh’s continued humanitarian leadership and generosity in hosting displaced Rohingya people. He acknowledged the country’s significant role in providing shelter and assistance to one of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

The meeting also covered a range of current global issues. Dr. Rahman highlighted the challenges faced by developing and vulnerable countries amid the ongoing global oil crisis, emphasizing its disproportionate and unequal impact on poorer nations.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Dr. Rahman invited the Secretary-General to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. Guterres warmly accepted the invitation and expressed his appreciation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Bangladesh and the United Nations to address global challenges and advance sustainable development goals.