Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that the Chief Adviser aims to strengthen diplomatic ties with all SAARC countries, including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Nepal. “We’ve decided to develop an economic zone for Nepal in northern Bangladesh,” he said. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary is expected to visit soon for bilateral discussions. “Our foreign policy is pro-Bangladesh. Every move is made to uphold the country’s interests,” the press secretary emphasized. Reviving SAARC is a key priority for the current administration.

Egypt has proposed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, contingent on the disarmament of Palestinian factions. Hamas has firmly rejected the offer. According to a senior official, Egypt emphasized that no deal with Israel is possible without full disarmament. Hamas maintains that any agreement must prioritize an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and a full withdrawal from Palestinian territories. Israel, on the other hand, insists that Hamas must be defeated, including the surrender of all weapons, before any ceasefire can be considered.

Bangladesh and Turkey have expressed commitment to elevating their partnership following a meeting in Ankara between Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tawhid Hossain and Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam with Turkey’s Foreign Ministry. According to a statement, Turkey will grant Bangladesh access to a wide range of bilateral cooperation programs typically reserved for its closest allies. The move is seen as a positive step toward deeper diplomatic and strategic collaboration.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Moscow this week for consultations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the ongoing nuclear discussions with the United States. A preliminary round of talks, mediated by Oman, took place last Friday, and both sides described it as “constructive.” A follow-up meeting is expected this Saturday, potentially in Rome. Iran has emphasized that the discussions will focus solely on nuclear activity and sanctions relief.

Two Deputy Assistant Secretaries from the U.S. State Department are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka early Wednesday for a three-day official visit. This marks the first visit of a Trump-era U.S. delegation to Bangladesh and will cover a wide range of issues including democratic reforms, the Rohingya crisis, U.S. tariffs, and regional geopolitics involving Myanmar. Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, is expected to meet top officials of the interim government to discuss U.S. support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. She may also meet with leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, other political parties, and civil society representatives. The evolving situation in Myanmar is seen as a significant factor in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, making this visit particularly important.

NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan warned that commitments made under U.S. pressure to rationalize tariffs on certain imports will reduce Bangladesh’s tax revenues, especially as the IMF demands increased collections. He added that similar rationalizations in income tax structures could further decrease revenue. While tax rates for individuals and corporations will remain unchanged this year, efforts will be made to address existing inequities in the next budget.

In an interview with TRT World, Advisor Mahfuz Alam stated that the interim government is actively working toward Bangladesh’s democratic transition. The administration is focused on repairing institutions destabilized during the Hasina regime and ensuring justice for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Institutional reform, accountability, and fair elections remain the top priorities.

Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, announced that the recent investment summit attracted preliminary proposals worth BDT 3,100 crore. While the government spent around BDT 1.5 crore, partners contributed BDT 3.5 crore. Ashiq noted that the summit should not be evaluated by cost alone and emphasized that many deals were built on prior negotiations. Delegates from 50 countries participated, with foreign investors making up 58% of attendees. Meanwhile, ten proposed economic zones have been canceled.

At the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the ‘Harmony Building’ at the International Buddhist Monastery, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman reiterated the vision of building a non-violent, inclusive, and loving Bangladesh. Citing the teachings of Gautama Buddha, he said the armed forces are committed to preserving communal harmony and ensuring peace, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. “This country belongs to all—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims alike,” he said, pledging continued efforts to make the nation a beacon of peace and unity.

Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yusuf W.Y. Ramadan, praised the “March for Gaza” rally in Dhaka as a moment of historical significance. “From the refugee camps of Gaza to the olive groves of the West Bank, your solidarity is deeply felt,” he stated. The ambassador highlighted the unity and resilience of the Bangladeshi people, regardless of age or gender, in standing up for justice in Palestine.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi stated that the first round of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. took place in a “constructive and friendly environment.” The goal was to pave the way toward a fair and binding agreement. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff attended the two-and-a-half-hour session. Though productive, concerns remain that any impulsive remark by former President Trump could derail progress.

Speaking from Mexico, Bangladesh’s Ambassador Mushfiqur Fazal described the July Uprising against dictatorship as a beacon of renewed hope. “The government is working with courage and transparency to realize this hope through reforms in the constitution, electoral process, judiciary, police, and anti-corruption efforts,” he said. Fazal emphasized that the dream of an inclusive, democratic Bangladesh remains alive over five decades after independence. He also highlighted March 26 as a day of national pride and referenced the war of liberation not only as a struggle against foreign domination, but also against oppression and injustice. He concluded by mentioning economic progress and plans to strengthen bilateral ties with Mexico on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain emphasized the need for a reliable partner in space technology during a meeting with Turkish Aerospace President Mehmet Demiroğlu. He stated that collaboration between Bangladesh and Turkey in this field could yield mutual benefits. Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam was also present. Both parties agreed to explore investment opportunities and facilitate technology transfer for human resource development in Bangladesh. A high-level Turkish delegation, led by the CEO of Turkish Aerospace, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh soon to discuss further cooperation in space technology.

The massive ‘March for Gaza’ held in Dhaka, expressing solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s military offensive, has received coverage from major international media. AP reported, “Around 100,000 people protested in the capital of Bangladesh,” noting that protestors defaced images of Netanyahu, Trump, and Modi. Arab News estimated attendance at over a million, calling it the largest show of solidarity with Palestine in the country’s recent history. The Independent and Washington Post also highlighted the event, with the latter reporting, “Hundreds of thousands in Dhaka rally against Israeli aggression in Gaza.”

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has returned from official visits to Russia and Croatia, where he met with top military and civilian officials. His engagements included meetings with the Chief of the Russian Army, the Deputy Defense Minister of Russia, and the Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces. On April 7, he met with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Alexander Fomin, and on April 10, he held talks with Croatian Lt. Gen. Tihomir Kundid.