After more than a decade, Bangladesh is set to resume political dialogue with Pakistan, expected to take place later this month. The talks will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, re-establishing a joint ministerial commission, and enhancing coordination on political, economic, and social issues. The Pakistani delegation will be led by the country’s Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch, though Bangladesh’s representative has yet to be confirmed. The dialogue aims to lay the groundwork for future intergovernmental plans. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is set to visit Bangladesh from April 22-24.

To attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), economists and business leaders have urged the interim government to take immediate steps to reduce the tariffs imposed by the United States.
BKMEA Executive Vice President Fazle Shamim Ehsan said, “We expected increased investments after the US imposed higher tariffs on China. But now, the same tariffs are being applied to us. If this continues, investment won’t come to Bangladesh.”
Selim Raihan, Executive Director of SANEM, emphasized the importance of sending a clear and positive message to the US.
Ehsan, Managing Director of Fatullah Apparels Ltd., echoed this sentiment, urging the government to take prompt action on tariff reductions.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will personally engage with US officials to address concerns over newly imposed tariffs. He also mentioned that increasing imports from the US could help narrow the trade deficit. The decision was made during an emergency meeting held in the evening.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam has stated that Bangladesh’s exports to the United States will not decline; rather, they are poised to increase. Following an emergency meeting chaired by the Chief Adviser on Saturday, he said, “We hope for a positive response. Export volumes are expected to grow, and steps will be taken accordingly—not just in the US but in all countries where Bangladesh exports.”
The meeting began at 7 PM and involved senior officials including the Chief Adviser, advisors for finance, commerce, and foreign affairs, secretaries of relevant ministries, and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. Notably, BIDA held a three-hour meeting with major business leaders, giving significant consideration to exporters’ concerns.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam has said it is uncertain whether the Rohingyas can be repatriated to Myanmar by next year.
He criticized the term “FDMN” (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals), saying it was coined by certain diplomats and loyalists trying to appease the Burmese junta.
“This term erases the Rohingya identity and downplays the genocide narrative,” Alam stated.
He reaffirmed that Bangladesh used the term ‘Rohingya’ during meetings, and even Myanmar officials were eventually compelled to adopt the term in official discussions.

U.S. stock markets took a major hit following China’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs, with major indices dropping around 6%.
After former President Trump imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese imports, China responded by slapping an additional 34% tariff on all U.S. goods starting April 10.
The S&P 500 fell 6%, Nasdaq dropped 5.8%, and Dow Jones declined 5.5%, while the Russell 2000 dipped 4%. Analysts say this is the worst trading day since the onset of COVID-19.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated on Facebook that during a bilateral meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed great respect for Professor Muhammad Yunus. Praising Yunus’ work, Modi reportedly said, “We have seen the disrespectful treatment you received from Hasina, despite our good relationship with her. But we have always respected you.”

Shafiqul further revealed that when Professor Yunus raised the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, India’s response was not negative. “We are confident that one day Hasina will be extradited to Dhaka and we will witness the trial of the century!” he said. Modi also reportedly emphasized several times that India’s relationship is with the people of Bangladesh, not with any one party or individual.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam highlighted the shift in Bangladesh’s diplomatic posture, writing, “Dr. Khalilur was the first BCS-recruited diplomat to reach top ranks at the UN. He brought significant dynamism to foreign policy.”
Alam mentioned a pivotal moment when Dr. Khalilur held a 15-minute talk with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister and a one-hour discussion with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, opening new diplomatic avenues.
He emphasized, “Bangladesh is no longer known for timid diplomacy.” Yunus also thanked the UN chief for visiting the Rohingya camps during iftar.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with his long-time friend and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The two reminisced about past collaborations, including Thaksin’s visit to Bangladesh in 2001 after becoming Prime Minister, where he was inspired by Yunus’s Grameen Bank model to launch a similar microcredit initiative in Thailand.
They discussed the potential resumption of direct flights between Chiang Mai and Chattogram—a route that once took only an hour.
Thaksin recalled traveling on the inaugural flight with former PM Khaleda Zia. Yunus sought Thaksin’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to join ASEAN and emphasized the importance of Thai cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Myanmar’s Prime Minister and State Administration Council Chairman Min Aung Hlaing met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok on Friday. During the meeting, Professor Yunus expressed deep condolences for the recent earthquake casualties and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
“Rescue teams have already been deployed and we are ready to provide additional assistance, including ships, if needed,” Yunus said.
Min Aung Hlaing congratulated Yunus on assuming the BIMSTEC chairmanship. Myanmar also confirmed that it has finalized the identities of 180,000 Rohingya refugees, preparing for their repatriation.

In his Eid-ul-Fitr message on March 30, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed sympathy for those unable to celebrate due to humanitarian crises in Palestine and Sudan. He said, “For many, this Eid will be overshadowed by sorrow, as the atrocities in Palestine and Sudan continue to cause immense suffering. Over 50,000 Palestinians, including at least 15,000 children, have been killed in Gaza due to Israel’s military operations.” The Israeli Embassy in the UK responded critically, stating the message failed to mention Hamas, condemn terrorism, or call for the release of hostages. In a follow-up statement, the Mayor’s office clarified that Sadiq Khan has consistently condemned Hamas’ attacks and stands against terrorism. “He mourns every loss of life and supports a permanent ceasefire,” the statement added.

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 recent post, Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam asserted that Islamic extremism has never seen a significant rise in Bangladesh — and there is no indication that it will in the future.

He criticized some Western journalists for drawing unfounded parallels between Bangladesh and conflict-ridden nations like Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Syria due to a lack of nuanced understanding of Bangladeshi society.

Highlighting key incidents — such as the 1994 exile of Taslima Nasrin, the 2004 attack on author Humayun Azad, the 2005 nationwide bombings, and the rise of Bangla Bhai — he emphasized that despite these, no widespread resurgence of Islamist extremism has taken place.

Between 2013 and 2016, Bangladesh faced a spate of targeted attacks on atheist bloggers, secular and LGBTQ activists, and even foreign nationals — nearly 20 lives were lost. Yet, society at large remained largely resilient and unchanged.

Alam, who admits to once falling into the same narrative trap, stressed that the social and familial diversity of Bangladesh serves as a strong defense against extremism. “This diversity,” he said, “will keep Bangladesh from straying down the wrong path.”

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.