Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, expressed hope that India will support the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people. Welcoming the recent meeting between Dr. Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ansari highlighted Bangladesh’s resurgence in global diplomacy. He said the country is regaining its rightful place on the international stage through a sovereign, balanced, and goal-oriented foreign policy. He called the evolving understanding with India a positive development and expressed hope for continued diplomatic progress.

In a bid to strengthen international collaboration against corruption, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
ACC Chairman Dr. Mohammad Moin and NACC President Suchart Trakulkasemsuk signed the MoU, which aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in data sharing and joint operations. Moin expressed hope that the agreement would help both nations track down and prosecute corrupt individuals, including those taking refuge in neighboring countries.

In a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening trade and connectivity. Dr. Yunus invited Bhutan to send a delegation of investors to the upcoming investment summit in Dhaka.

Discussions also touched upon the designated economic zone for Bhutan in northern Kurigram, where Bhutanese entrepreneurs plan to invest in fruit processing and other manufacturing industries aimed at regional export. Prime Minister Tshering requested a dedicated fiber-optic internet link from Bangladesh, to which the Chief Adviser assured full cooperation.

Dr. Yunus expressed interest in expanding educational opportunities for Bhutanese students in Bangladesh’s medical colleges and universities. The Bhutanese Prime Minister congratulated Yunus on his recent appointment as BIMSTEC Chair.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to simplify the visa process for Bangladeshi citizens traveling to Thailand, especially those seeking medical treatment. Dr. Yunus highlighted the difficulties faced by Bangladeshi medical travelers during their meeting, to which the Thai Prime Minister responded with reassurance.

The Chief Adviser also emphasized enhancing bilateral trade, maritime cooperation, and increasing air connectivity between the two nations. He proposed launching direct flights from Chattogram to Thailand, noting that such a route previously existed and had a positive impact on trade and travel. Dr. Yunus congratulated the Thai Prime Minister on her appointment as BIMSTEC Chair and paid tribute to the late Thai King Bhumibol, acknowledging his role in recognizing Bangladesh’s independence.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has sought cooperation from Sri Lanka to recover billions of dollars siphoned abroad from Bangladesh. He made the request during a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harin Fernando.

Prime Minister Fernando informed that Sri Lanka has already taken several steps to recover illicit funds, including passing a new law in Parliament aimed at accelerating the repatriation process.

Both leaders discussed various aspects of the July uprising and emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties and mutual understanding between the two nations. They also pledged to expand trade and bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser also briefed the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and ongoing political reforms.

Following a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, India issued a statement reaffirming its support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. Modi highlighted that cooperation between the two nations has delivered tangible benefits for their people and urged avoidance of rhetoric that could harm the diplomatic environment.
On border issues, Modi emphasized the strict enforcement of laws to prevent illegal nighttime crossings. Expressing concern over the safety of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, he called for strengthened protection and transparent investigations. Modi congratulated Yunus on becoming the new BIMSTEC Chair and reaffirmed that all mutual concerns between India and Bangladesh can be addressed through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Abul Kalam Azad Mazumder, Deputy Press Secretary, confirmed that U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Alex N. Wong held a teleconference with Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the Chief Adviser’s High Representative, on Wednesday evening. The discussion covered matters of mutual interest, and both parties agreed to maintain ongoing communication. The U.S. government has recently pledged an additional $73 million in humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees, bringing its total contributions since 2017 to approximately $2.4 billion. Additionally, in recognition of student leaders from Bangladesh’s pro-democracy movement, the U.S. has decided to confer the prestigious Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award.

During a visit to Moscow, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s strong ties with Russia, stating:
“China and Russia are eternal friends and will never be enemies.”

He also welcomed signs of improved relations between Washington and Moscow, expressing China’s willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the Ukraine conflict.

In early 2022, just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an “unlimited” strategic partnership. Since then, the two leaders have strengthened cooperation on global issues, including Taiwan, Ukraine, and their shared rivalry with the United States.

Russia’s Supreme Court has confirmed receiving a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office to lift sanctions on the Taliban, who were designated a terrorist organization in 2003. The court will review the request.

Meanwhile, Taliban representatives have been participating in various forums hosted in Moscow. Under Russian law, any contact with terrorist organizations is a punishable offense. However, Russian officials have emphasized the need to engage with the Taliban for Afghanistan’s stability, sidestepping concerns about potential contradictions in their policy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Eid greetings to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus through a letter on Monday. He also conveyed his wishes to the people of Bangladesh, highlighting the shared observance of Ramadan by 200 million Indians. Modi emphasized the values of compassion, generosity, and unity and expressed hopes for strengthened ties between the two nations.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended Eid greetings to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus via phone. Shehbaz emphasized strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and announced that Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister would visit Dhaka on April 22 with a trade delegation to discuss economic cooperation. He also invited Dr. Yunus to visit Pakistan at his convenience and extended an invitation to legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila and a cultural delegation. Shehbaz expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-Bangladesh ties, saying, "InshaAllah, our relations look promising."

Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of the Chief Adviser, has stated that China has expressed interest in cooperating with Bangladesh on water resource management, including the much-discussed Teesta Project. He hinted that bilateral agreements could soon materialize. Additionally, China has pledged full support in repatriating Rohingya refugees and is open to collaborations in AI, renewable energy, and modern technology. Chinese companies have been invited to invest in Bangladesh, with President Xi Jinping personally ensuring his administration’s involvement.

Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand and is actively seeking a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Myanmar’s government is also attempting to arrange a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following Western sanctions and ASEAN’s exclusion of Myanmar’s junta leader from its summit, the regime is making diplomatic efforts to establish high-level engagements.

The Government of Bangladesh has secured commitments worth $2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants from the Chinese government and private companies. According to the ‘Chief Advisor GOB’ Facebook page, Dr. Muhammad Yunus invited Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector, resulting in pledges from 30 Chinese companies to invest $1 billion in a dedicated Chinese industrial zone. Additionally, China has allocated $400 million for the modernization of Mongla Port, $350 million for the Chinese industrial economic zone, and $150 million in technical assistance loans. The remaining funds will be distributed as grants and other financial aid.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus as “highly successful, productive, and constructive.” He stated that extensive discussions took place, with President Xi reaffirming China’s support for Bangladesh’s interim government. Xi also encouraged Chinese investments in Bangladesh and pledged to facilitate the relocation of Chinese manufacturing firms. Additionally, China expressed willingness to lower interest rates on loans and collaborate on water resource management.