After seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has maintained diplomatic communication with neighboring and regional powers. A delegation from the Taliban government has now visited Japan, as reported by Al Jazeera. The discussions will focus on humanitarian aid and potential diplomatic relations with Japanese officials. On Sunday, a delegation comprising officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, education, economy, and health arrived in Japan. They will stay for a week. Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Latif Nazari, referred to this as part of their efforts to improve international relations.

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in India for a two-day visit, receiving an exceptional welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi Airport on Monday. Breaking usual protocol, Modi personally greeted the Emir, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations. Sheikh Tamim is set to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Modi on Tuesday. India’s Foreign Ministry stated that this visit will further enhance diplomatic and economic cooperation. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met the Emir on Monday night.

In an interview with The Hindu on Monday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh-India relations should not be limited to specific governments. Earlier, he met Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Oman. When asked about the meeting, he mentioned that after 15 years of a stable relationship, tensions have arisen due to recent changes. However, he believes such tensions should subside within six months.

Hossain also emphasized that minorities in Bangladesh are not facing persecution and that everyone enjoys equal rights. He confirmed that Bangladesh has sent a letter regarding Sheikh Hasina’s return and recommended maintaining restrictions until a response is received. Additionally, he stressed the need to take a strict stance against border killings and called for a review of the Adani agreement.

With no resolution in sight regarding water-sharing with India, Bangladesh has initiated the Teesta Mega Project, aiming to improve the livelihoods of over 20 million people across five districts. While the project is essential for Bangladesh’s water security, it has triggered geopolitical tensions between China and India. Initially, China expressed keen interest in funding and executing the project. However, the Hasina administration later shifted the project toward India, straining relations with China. Recently, China has renewed its interest in the initiative. If implemented, the project will deepen the Teesta River by 10 meters, ensuring year-round navigation, land reclamation, flood protection, agricultural restoration, and the establishment of river ports. The transformation is expected to significantly uplift the socio-economic conditions of the region.

On Sunday, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference. Their discussions focused on mutual interests and concerns. Jaishankar expressed hope that the upcoming border security director general-level meeting on February 20 in Delhi would resolve key border-related issues. Meanwhile, Hossain emphasized the renewal of the water-sharing treaty and pushed for a meeting of the SAARC Standing Committee. In an X post, Jaishankar mentioned that they also discussed bilateral relations and BIMSTEC cooperation.

Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated recently due to the controversial deportation of a former fascist leader and the demolition of a house in Dhanmondi. In response, Oman’s capital, Muscat, will host a meeting between Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, and Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar. The meeting, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference on Sunday, holds significant importance amid the ongoing political tension between the two nations. Prior to this, discussions have been held between India’s Foreign Secretary and Bangladesh on issues including border security, water distribution, flood management, and trade. It is expected that the current diplomatic tension and the situation surrounding the former leader of Bangladesh may also be discussed during this meeting.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced that a five-member delegation, led by Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, will embark on a three-day official visit to Kuwait on February 16.

During the visit, General Zaman will meet with high-ranking military and civilian officials of the Kuwaiti government to discuss bilateral military cooperation. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two nations, facilitate the recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait, and boost the morale of Bangladeshi personnel engaged in Operation Kuwait Reconstruction.

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the U.S. decision to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to India, warning that it could disrupt regional military balance and strategic stability.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, strongly rejected the joint U.S.-India statement that linked Pakistan to terrorism, calling it “one-sided and misleading.” The statement had earlier urged action against those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the Pathankot incident while emphasizing that Pakistani territory must not be used for cross-border terrorism.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman spoke with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the phone on Sunday, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Prince Khalid congratulated Hegseth on his appointment and discussed Saudi-US relations, strategic cooperation, and ways to enhance bilateral ties. The conversation also covered efforts to establish international peace and security. The controversial proposal to relocate Gaza residents to Egypt and Jordan has sparked widespread backlash, with both countries strongly opposing the plan.

Former US President Donald Trump announced that India has agreed to purchase oil and gas from the United States. Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump stated that Washington and New Delhi would work together to counter the threat of 'Islamic extremism.' Trump also accused India of imposing higher tariffs on American products than any other country. Earlier, he had threatened a reciprocal tariff policy, warning that the US would impose tariffs at the same rate India does.

US President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the near future. Starmer is expected to visit the United States within the next few weeks. The UK Prime Minister’s office confirmed that Starmer had discussed his upcoming US trip with Trump over the phone. Trump said that Starmer had requested another in-person meeting. The meeting is being described as a friendly discussion, signaling strong relations between the two countries, according to Reuters.

On Thursday at 9:00 PM Bangladesh time, billionaire Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), spoke on the phone with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. US President Donald Trump was present during the conversation. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, thanked their close friend, RH Griffiths, via a Facebook post for making this virtual conversation possible. He expressed excitement, stating that this meeting would mark the beginning of a new era for the development of SpaceX and Starlink technology in Bangladesh, opening vast opportunities for innovation, education, and economic growth. “I am thrilled to be a part of it from the start!” he wrote.

Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged the United Arab Emirates to lift its visa ban on Bangladeshi nationals and recruit more workers. He made the appeal during his visit to Dubai for the two-day World Government Summit, where he also held meetings with several UAE ministers. During these discussions, the UAE’s Minister of Trade proposed establishing Emirati industrial zones in Bangladesh, to which Yunus responded positively. He emphasized that Bangladesh could be developed as a hub for halal product manufacturing, benefiting from affordable labor.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that India’s tariff decisions do not concern the U.S., emphasizing a reciprocal approach to trade. During a meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi, Trump highlighted the need for fairness and mutual cooperation, aiming to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. He reiterated that the U.S. seeks equal trade opportunities. Following past tensions, India recently lowered tariffs on select American exports, including luxury motorcycles. Modi echoed Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” with his own version, “Make India Great Again.”

Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has wrapped up his UAE visit after attending the World Government Summit in Dubai. During the trip, he met with key UAE ministers, discussing trade expansion, UAE investments in Chattogram Port, and lifting visa restrictions on Bangladeshi citizens. He urged UAE businesses to relocate factories to Bangladesh and agreed to establish a special industrial park for Emirati companies. UAE’s trade minister plans to lead a delegation to Bangladesh soon. The Chief Adviser is set to return home this evening.