Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to present a proposal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting today, including tariff reductions, new trade agreements, and collaboration on China-related matters. These efforts are aimed at garnering the support of the Trump administration, according to Reuters. Since taking office, President Trump has been exerting pressure through tariffs on both allies and adversaries alike to secure new trade agreements, investments, and enhanced cooperation on law enforcement. In the past, Trump had labeled India as a “major trade abuser” and imposed additional tariffs on the country’s steel and aluminum industries.

A phone call took place between Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, and Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The conversation occurred Thursday night at 9 PM Bangladesh time. Musk, who was appointed to lead the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by Trump, aims to reduce government spending. Musk is the owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), and ranks among the world’s wealthiest individuals.

UAE Health Minister Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai. The minister appreciated Yunus’ participation and emphasized learning from global leaders like him. They discussed enhancing Bangladesh-UAE relations, particularly in trade, business, and healthcare. Yunus praised the UAE’s healthcare advancements and thanked them for hosting over one million Bangladeshis. Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain and other senior officials were also present.

Chittagong University (CU) has permanently expelled Law student Afsana Enayet Emi for assaulting Assistant Proctor Dr. Kurban Ali. Her academic certificate will also be revoked. Additionally, nine students have been suspended for two years for attacking teachers, students, and journalists. Two others have been expelled for religious defamation—one for two years and the other for one year. The decision was made in a disciplinary board meeting chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. CU authorities confirmed that the expulsion list will be published soon.

UAE’s Minister of Health, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, met with Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the World Government Summit in Dubai on Thursday. Thanking Dr. Yunus for his participation, the minister said, "Your presence has inspired the summit." He further remarked, "We learn from people like you." Al Owais also congratulated Dr. Yunus for his leadership in Bangladesh during this critical time. In response, Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude to the UAE for providing shelter to one million Bangladeshi expatriates.

Bangladesh has submitted all necessary documents under the prisoner exchange agreement in a diplomatic note to India regarding the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rafiqul Alam confirmed this on Thursday, adding that India has yet to respond. When asked whether Bangladesh would share the recently published UN fact-finding report with India, he clarified that the report was prepared for Bangladesh and is publicly available. The government’s efforts to bring back Sheikh Hasina remain ongoing.

A press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya confirmed the repatriation of 145 Bangladeshis detained at Benghazi’s Ganfuda Detention Center on Wednesday (February 12). The repatriation was coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The returnees are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday (February 13) via Burak Air, with all costs covered by IOM.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a senior advisor, arrived in Dubai on Wednesday (February 12) at 11:15 PM local time for a two-day visit to attend the World Government Summit, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. He was welcomed by UAE Minister of Sports Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi. During their meeting, they discussed potential collaboration in sports and cultural exchange between the two nations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the AI Summit in France, where an unexpected diplomatic moment caught attention. According to a report by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, French President Emmanuel Macron seemingly ignored Modi while shaking hands with other world leaders. A viral video on social media shows Modi extending his hand while seated next to JD Dance, but Macron bypassed him entirely, greeting others instead. However, earlier during the welcome, Macron had embraced Modi.

Following strong protests by the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has removed a surveillance camera installed near the zero line of the border in Bhurungamari’s South Bashjani area. The camera, positioned on a tree facing Bangladesh near the historic Jora Mosque, was set up on February 9 at around 2 AM. BGB lodged multiple complaints but initially received no response. After a flag meeting on February 11, BSF agreed to dismantle the camera, which was taken down later that night.

Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called on the Indian government to closely monitor the situation in Bangladesh, warning that an unfavorable government in Dhaka could pose risks to India. As Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, he stressed that India must commit to the welfare of all Bangladeshis rather than appearing biased towards any particular political party or group. Additionally, he supported the idea of granting asylum to Sheikh Hasina in India if necessary.

Indian actor and Trinamool Congress MP Dipak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, has raised concerns in the Lok Sabha about the lack of barbed-wire fencing along large stretches of the India-Bangladesh border. According to an ABP report, Dev submitted questions about the total unfenced border area and the reasons behind it. The Indian government responded that 864.482 km of the border remains unfenced, with 174.514 km being impossible to fence due to opposition from Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB), land acquisition issues, water bodies, and landslides.

Irish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Kevin Kelly, met with Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus in Tejgaon today. During the meeting, Kelly affirmed Ireland’s full support for Bangladesh’s interim government, democratic restoration, and reform programs. He expressed Ireland’s interest in increasing imports from Bangladesh and mentioned the possibility of sending an Irish delegation to assist in democratic transformation. Additionally, Ireland pledged continued humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees.

Just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit on February 12, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products, effective this week. This move could severely impact India’s $3 billion steel exports to the U.S. and is seen as a diplomatic challenge for Modi. Previously, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and announced similar tariffs on Canada and Mexico, though the latter was temporarily postponed. Experts view this as a significant shift in U.S. trade policy.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will meet on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference 2025, scheduled for February 16-17 in Oman. Dhaka is expected to convey a strong message urging India to refrain from any actions that could destabilize bilateral relations. The Bangladeshi delegation will also warn against using Sheikh Hasina’s political influence to create internal unrest. The meeting invitation was extended by India’s foreign ministry last month, following their last bilateral discussion in the United States.