US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard has expressed concern over ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. In an interview with NDTV World, she stated that the Trump administration is committed to combating global Islamist terrorism. She also mentioned that the new US cabinet has initiated discussions with Bangladesh’s interim government regarding these issues. Gabbard emphasized that radical Islamist threats operate under a common ideology aimed at establishing an Islamic caliphate.

In violation of international law, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to construct a barbed-wire fence at the Dahagram border in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila. Local sources reported that BSF began constructing the fence near Zero Line at sub-pillar 48 of pillar 42. Upon noticing the activity, locals alerted the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who intervened and successfully halted the construction.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) held a meeting with heads of missions from 10 OIC member states in Dhaka. Although 19 nations were invited, nine did not attend, including Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, the Maldives, and Oman. Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah stated that the OIC has pledged full support for a fair election. The EC also requested assistance to enable expatriate Bangladeshis to vote smoothly, emphasizing that proxy voting remains the only alternative.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested two Indian nationals for illegally crossing into Bangladesh through Cumilla’s Burichang border. Acting on a tip-off, BGB detained Sanjit Deb Barma (30) and Bimal Deb Barma (23) from an area 400 yards inside Bangladesh. The detainees admitted to entering the country without passports.

Following a meeting with the Chief Adviser, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen announced that LONGi, the world’s leading solar panel manufacturer, has decided to establish an office and invest in solar panel production in Bangladesh. The announcement came after the Chief Adviser invited Chinese companies to relocate their manufacturing units to Bangladesh. Alongside LONGi, at least two other Chinese firms have also decided to open offices and factories in Bangladesh. Welcoming the investment, the Chief Adviser stated that Bangladesh could become a top production hub for companies looking to export goods to Western markets.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has been accused of torturing a Bangladeshi man and abandoning him at the border, believing him to be dead. The victim, Faruk Hossain (42), was found in critical condition in a field near the Comillapara Border Outpost (BOP) on Sunday by local farmers. He was rushed to a private clinic for emergency treatment. His wife, Hasi Khatun, stated that on Saturday night, she and one of their children crossed the Indian border into Bangladesh. Faruk was caught by BSF while attempting to cross and was subjected to brutal torture before being left unconscious at the border.

According to a press statement, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained an Indian national named Sheikh Ejaz (36) for illegally entering the country through the Satkhira border. He was arrested on Saturday afternoon from the Baldghata area of Baikari Union in Satkhira Sadar Upazila. Sheikh Ejaz had married Maya Begum (35), a Bangladeshi woman from Khulna’s Maheshwarpasha, while she was in India. The couple later moved to Bangladesh and had been living in Daulatpur, Khulna, for the past four years, with Ejaz earning a living as an e-rickshaw driver. He was apprehended while attempting to return to India.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has announced that the government aims to elevate China-Bangladesh relations through Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s upcoming visit to China. Prior to the visit, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met with Chief Adviser Yunus. The Chief Adviser will travel to China on March 26, where he will meet President Xi Jinping on March 28, along with CEOs of major Chinese companies. According to the press secretary, China has promised to build a general hospital in Bangladesh, but the Chief Adviser hopes that Chinese health service providers will invest in Bangladesh and establish hospitals jointly with the country.

The Arakan Army has released 26 Bangladeshi fishermen who were previously detained after being captured in the Bay of Bengal.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilitated their return through the Shah Porir Island jetty in Teknaf.

Authorities confirmed that the fishermen mistakenly crossed the maritime border into Myanmar’s waters, leading to their detention. Following medical examinations, they will be handed over to their families. Officials are also working to raise awareness among local fishermen to prevent such incidents in the future.

Trade activities at Hili Land Port have been suspended today, March 15, due to the Holi festival in India. Indian traders have decided to halt import-export operations in observance of the government holiday. However, trade is set to resume as usual on Sunday. Officer-in-Charge Ariful Islam stated that the Hili immigration checkpoint remains operational seven days a week from 9 AM to 6:30 PM, unaffected by religious or national holidays.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that the passports of former Bangladeshi ambassador to Morocco, Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, and his family members have been canceled. The ministry stated that necessary departmental actions will be taken against him due to his activities. Harun has been accused of distorting Bangladesh’s situation and portraying himself on Facebook as a supporter of past fascist regimes. He also labeled himself as a “persecuted diplomat,” “exiled novelist,” and “secularist” to gain sympathy abroad.

Indian mobile SIM cards are being widely used in border villages of Kasba, Akhaura, and Bijoynagar Upazilas, causing significant revenue losses for the Bangladesh government.

Local enforcement agencies remain largely inactive despite the issue. Due to poor mobile network coverage, residents, particularly the youth, rely on Indian SIM cards for internet services. The widespread use of these SIMs facilitates communication between cross-border smugglers and human traffickers, contributing to rising criminal activities. Residents claim they are forced to use Indian SIMs due to the poor network coverage of Bangladeshi operators.

Authorities in Cumilla seized illegal Indian fireworks worth BDT 30.8 million late Thursday night.

Lt. Col. AM Zahid Parvez, commander of the 10th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion, stated that the raid was conducted at Kabir Bazar based on intelligence. A special task force comprising BGB, RAB, and the district administration confiscated 1.4 million units of illegal fireworks along with a smuggling truck.

Following a high-level meeting in Beijing, diplomats from Iran, China, and Russia issued a joint statement calling for the removal of what they termed ‘illegal sanctions’ imposed on Iran. They reaffirmed Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and emphasized the need for diplomatic dialogue based on mutual respect. The meeting, chaired by China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, included Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. The trio urged against actions that could escalate tensions or disrupt diplomatic efforts.

ollowing the signing of a visa exemption agreement between Bangladesh and Gambia, Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that the agreement, applicable to diplomatic and official passport holders, would further solidify bilateral relations. He expressed deep gratitude for Gambia’s unwavering support for Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue. Gambia’s leadership in securing justice for the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with the backing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has earned high praise, further strengthening ties between the two nations.