2 months ago
By Ruma Paul
DHAKA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Bangladesh could consider joining the Mecca pact, a mutual defence agreement signed this month between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, a minister said, a move that could complicate its foreign relations, particularly with neighbouring India.
Ties have been strained as Bangladesh accused Indian border forces of forcibly pushing in people while it seeks extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has lived in exile in India since her ouster in a protest movement in August 2024.
"If there is a security arrangement among Islamic nations in the Middle East, it is not unusual for us to consider participating. It is being viewed positively," said junior foreign minister Humayun Kabir.
"They are inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to come and participate," he told reporters on Monday.
#India #ruma
DHAKA, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Bangladesh could consider joining the Mecca pact, a mutual defence agreement signed this month between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, a minister said, a move that could complicate its foreign relations, particularly with neighbouring India.
Ties have been strained as Bangladesh accused Indian border forces of forcibly pushing in people while it seeks extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has lived in exile in India since her ouster in a protest movement in August 2024.
"If there is a security arrangement among Islamic nations in the Middle East, it is not unusual for us to consider participating. It is being viewed positively," said junior foreign minister Humayun Kabir.
"They are inviting the leadership of Bangladesh, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to come and participate," he told reporters on Monday.
#India #ruma
3 months ago
Australia captain Pat ***** mins admitted his side were outplayed in all departments after Bangladesh completed a historic nine-wicket victory in the first Test at Darwin's Marrara Oval on Sunday.
The defeat gave Bangladesh their first Test win on Australian soil and only their second victory over Australia, following their maiden triumph in Dhaka in 2017.
Cummins pointed to Australia's first-innings performance as the key turning point, conceding that his side needed to find a way to bat for longer after Bangladesh's bowlers made early inroads.
"Probably that day one. You know, I thought our preparation was pretty much spot on. I thought it was excellent. So, no excuses. They played really well. I thought the day one wicket was doing a little bit early, but obviously got to try and find a way to bat a little bit longer than we did, and then, just couldn't penetrate with the ball," ***** mins said after the match.
Australia were dismissed for 198 in their first innings after ***** mins won the toss and elected to bat. Bangladesh responded with 426, taking a commanding 228-run lead that ultimately proved decisive.
The hosts showed more resistance in their second innings, reaching 284, with Cameron Green scoring a century. However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul helped Bangladesh restrict Australia's lead to just 56 runs before the visitors chased down the target in 14.2 overs.
Cummins acknowledged that Bangladesh maintained control once they had established their advantage.
"Yeah, they did. I think they outplayed us in all facets, really. I thought they were really patient and quite disciplined. And, yeah, once we were behind, it was really hard to get back," he said.
The Australian captain also admitted that the team's batting performances could come under scrutiny before the second Test in Mackay, Queensland, beginning on August 22.
"I think every time there's a game like this, you always kind of look at your match-ups and your make-up of the team for the next one. But, we only just finished, so we'll have a think about it. We're pretty good at bouncing back, so no doubt the batters and every group will get together and have a good think about this one and where we can improve," ***** mins said.
While Australia's batting came under pressure, ***** mins praised Josh Hazlewood for reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Hazlewood finished with six wickets across Bangladesh's two innings.
"Josh, he hasn't had a great run for injuries the last couple of years, but he's one of the hardest workers and just showed his class. And, you know, didn't have too much in it, seam-wise, still picking up six really important wickets. So he was fantastic," ***** mins said.
He also singled out Green, whose 104 was his third Test century and first in Australia. The allrounder spent 201 ***** at the crease and combined with Australia's lower order to prevent Bangladesh from winning by an innings.
"And then Greeny,
The defeat gave Bangladesh their first Test win on Australian soil and only their second victory over Australia, following their maiden triumph in Dhaka in 2017.
Cummins pointed to Australia's first-innings performance as the key turning point, conceding that his side needed to find a way to bat for longer after Bangladesh's bowlers made early inroads.
"Probably that day one. You know, I thought our preparation was pretty much spot on. I thought it was excellent. So, no excuses. They played really well. I thought the day one wicket was doing a little bit early, but obviously got to try and find a way to bat a little bit longer than we did, and then, just couldn't penetrate with the ball," ***** mins said after the match.
Australia were dismissed for 198 in their first innings after ***** mins won the toss and elected to bat. Bangladesh responded with 426, taking a commanding 228-run lead that ultimately proved decisive.
The hosts showed more resistance in their second innings, reaching 284, with Cameron Green scoring a century. However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul helped Bangladesh restrict Australia's lead to just 56 runs before the visitors chased down the target in 14.2 overs.
Cummins acknowledged that Bangladesh maintained control once they had established their advantage.
"Yeah, they did. I think they outplayed us in all facets, really. I thought they were really patient and quite disciplined. And, yeah, once we were behind, it was really hard to get back," he said.
The Australian captain also admitted that the team's batting performances could come under scrutiny before the second Test in Mackay, Queensland, beginning on August 22.
"I think every time there's a game like this, you always kind of look at your match-ups and your make-up of the team for the next one. But, we only just finished, so we'll have a think about it. We're pretty good at bouncing back, so no doubt the batters and every group will get together and have a good think about this one and where we can improve," ***** mins said.
While Australia's batting came under pressure, ***** mins praised Josh Hazlewood for reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Hazlewood finished with six wickets across Bangladesh's two innings.
"Josh, he hasn't had a great run for injuries the last couple of years, but he's one of the hardest workers and just showed his class. And, you know, didn't have too much in it, seam-wise, still picking up six really important wickets. So he was fantastic," ***** mins said.
He also singled out Green, whose 104 was his third Test century and first in Australia. The allrounder spent 201 ***** at the crease and combined with Australia's lower order to prevent Bangladesh from winning by an innings.
"And then Greeny,
3 months ago
Bangladesh is trying to save India's six-match cricket tour next month, with the foreign ministers of both countries involved in efforts to resolve the issue, news agency AFP reported.
The tour consists of three ODIs and three T20Is. It was originally scheduled for August last year but was postponed after relations between Dhaka and New Delhi deteriorated.
Bangladesh sports minister Aminul Haque said on Monday that discussions were continuing at the ministerial level.
"It is being worked on at the ministerial level," Haque said late Monday, as quoted by AFP, adding that talks were ongoing between the foreign ministers of both countries.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained since a mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024 led to the removal of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. She fled to India, where she remains in hiding.
In February, Bangladesh did not send a team to India for the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council rejected Bangladesh's request to move its matches to Sri Lanka, and Scotland replaced them in the tournament.
Haque said Bangladesh was keen to resolve the issue surrounding the postponed series.
"We want to quickly resolve the deadlock that was created around the Cricket World Cup," Haque said.
"God willing, we are hopeful that it will be resolved very soon."
India last toured Bangladesh for a cricket series in 2022, when they won the two-Test series 2-0. Bangladesh won the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Bangladesh last toured India in September-October 2024 for two Tests and two T20Is. India won both series, completing a sweep across the two formats.
#India
The tour consists of three ODIs and three T20Is. It was originally scheduled for August last year but was postponed after relations between Dhaka and New Delhi deteriorated.
Bangladesh sports minister Aminul Haque said on Monday that discussions were continuing at the ministerial level.
"It is being worked on at the ministerial level," Haque said late Monday, as quoted by AFP, adding that talks were ongoing between the foreign ministers of both countries.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained since a mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024 led to the removal of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. She fled to India, where she remains in hiding.
In February, Bangladesh did not send a team to India for the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council rejected Bangladesh's request to move its matches to Sri Lanka, and Scotland replaced them in the tournament.
Haque said Bangladesh was keen to resolve the issue surrounding the postponed series.
"We want to quickly resolve the deadlock that was created around the Cricket World Cup," Haque said.
"God willing, we are hopeful that it will be resolved very soon."
India last toured Bangladesh for a cricket series in 2022, when they won the two-Test series 2-0. Bangladesh won the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Bangladesh last toured India in September-October 2024 for two Tests and two T20Is. India won both series, completing a sweep across the two formats.
#India
3 months ago
DHAKA, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told India's envoy on Monday that there was a need to create a "conducive environment" to boost ties between the neighbours, as Dhaka continues to press New Delhi over the politically sensitive issue of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's exile in India.
Rahman's remarks underline his six-month-old government's efforts to stabilise relations with its largest neighbour while seeking progress on issues that have remained major irritants since Hasina's ouster in August 2024.
While Rahman has sought good relations with India since coming to power, Monday's comments are his first that stress the need to improve conditions to boost ties.
Rahman made the comments during his first meeting with the new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi.
Rahman "emphasized the need to create a conducive environment to further advance the bilateral relations between the two countries", the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement after the meeting.
#need #dhaka #minister #conducive
Rahman's remarks underline his six-month-old government's efforts to stabilise relations with its largest neighbour while seeking progress on issues that have remained major irritants since Hasina's ouster in August 2024.
While Rahman has sought good relations with India since coming to power, Monday's comments are his first that stress the need to improve conditions to boost ties.
Rahman made the comments during his first meeting with the new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi.
Rahman "emphasized the need to create a conducive environment to further advance the bilateral relations between the two countries", the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement after the meeting.
#need #dhaka #minister #conducive
3 months ago
DHAKA, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Windows were smashed and petrol bombs hurled at former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan's residence after he joined ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first public media interaction since her 2024 removal from power, in which she vowed to return in December.
Police said a group of people attacked Shakib's ancestral home in Magura town, about 170 km (105 miles) southwest of the capital Dhaka on Wednesday, causing a fire on the upper floor of the residence. The property was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
Reuters was unable to reach Shakib for comment on the attack.
The attack came hours after Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, joined a virtual event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi. During the audio address, Hasina reiterated that she would return to Bangladesh, where she has been sentenced to death.
Shakib, who was elected to parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024, has remained outside Bangladesh since the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina's government. He faces multiple investigations, including over allegations of murder, embezzlement, fraud and money laundering.
#since
Police said a group of people attacked Shakib's ancestral home in Magura town, about 170 km (105 miles) southwest of the capital Dhaka on Wednesday, causing a fire on the upper floor of the residence. The property was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
Reuters was unable to reach Shakib for comment on the attack.
The attack came hours after Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, joined a virtual event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi. During the audio address, Hasina reiterated that she would return to Bangladesh, where she has been sentenced to death.
Shakib, who was elected to parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024, has remained outside Bangladesh since the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina's government. He faces multiple investigations, including over allegations of murder, embezzlement, fraud and money laundering.
#since
4 months ago
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reiterated its commitment to providing top-level security for India's scheduled white-ball tour in September, with the board prepared to further strengthen its arrangements if required.
Speaking on Tuesday, BCB security committee chairman Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed said the board was leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the visiting Indian team. While formal discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to begin, he expressed confidence that the tour would proceed as planned.
The development comes after the BCB recently invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) for its 2026 and 2027 home international fixtures, specifically including India's 2026 tour, signalling growing optimism that the series will go ahead despite earlier uncertainty. The absence of T20Is from India's tour of Sri Lanka in August has also strengthened expectations that the Bangladesh tour will remain on schedule.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have experienced strain in recent times, leading to concerns over the bilateral series. Security had previously emerged as a major talking point after the then Muhammad Yunus-led interim government cited safety concerns while withdrawing Bangladesh's participation from the last T20 World Cup in India.
However, Ibrahim, who also serves as the son of Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, stressed that security remains a top priority for the BCB.
"Security is always a concern for every touring side, especially for the major cricketing nations. We have not yet formally started communication with them (BCCI). We are hopeful there will be no complaints if the tour takes place as planned," Ibrahim told reporters in Dhaka.
"We always try to organise our events in a controlled environment and ensure the highest standards of security. We will continue to do that."
He added that the level of security would be reviewed based on the prevailing situation during the series.
"It will depend on the circumstances, and if required, we will enhance the security," he said.
Ibrahim also confirmed that discussions with the BCCI are still at an early stage.
"There has been no such positive message yet, and we are still working out the details of the tour. We are trying to establish communication through the formal channels because the tour is coming up very soon," he added.
Speaking on Tuesday, BCB security committee chairman Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed said the board was leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the visiting Indian team. While formal discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to begin, he expressed confidence that the tour would proceed as planned.
The development comes after the BCB recently invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) for its 2026 and 2027 home international fixtures, specifically including India's 2026 tour, signalling growing optimism that the series will go ahead despite earlier uncertainty. The absence of T20Is from India's tour of Sri Lanka in August has also strengthened expectations that the Bangladesh tour will remain on schedule.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have experienced strain in recent times, leading to concerns over the bilateral series. Security had previously emerged as a major talking point after the then Muhammad Yunus-led interim government cited safety concerns while withdrawing Bangladesh's participation from the last T20 World Cup in India.
However, Ibrahim, who also serves as the son of Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, stressed that security remains a top priority for the BCB.
"Security is always a concern for every touring side, especially for the major cricketing nations. We have not yet formally started communication with them (BCCI). We are hopeful there will be no complaints if the tour takes place as planned," Ibrahim told reporters in Dhaka.
"We always try to organise our events in a controlled environment and ensure the highest standards of security. We will continue to do that."
He added that the level of security would be reviewed based on the prevailing situation during the series.
"It will depend on the circumstances, and if required, we will enhance the security," he said.
Ibrahim also confirmed that discussions with the BCCI are still at an early stage.
"There has been no such positive message yet, and we are still working out the details of the tour. We are trying to establish communication through the formal channels because the tour is coming up very soon," he added.
11 months ago
What's the world's largest city? U.N. report says it's no longer Tokyo.
A new United Nations report has found that Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is the world’s largest city with 41.9 million people living there, followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh, which is home to 36.6 million.
A low-lying coastal city located in the west of the densely populated island of Java, Jakarta rose from second place to replace Tokyo, which had been named the world’s largest city in the UN’s most recent ***** sment published back in 2000.
The ***** anese capital’s relatively steady population of 33.4 million saw it fa
A new United Nations report has found that Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is the world’s largest city with 41.9 million people living there, followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh, which is home to 36.6 million.
A low-lying coastal city located in the west of the densely populated island of Java, Jakarta rose from second place to replace Tokyo, which had been named the world’s largest city in the UN’s most recent ***** sment published back in 2000.
The ***** anese capital’s relatively steady population of 33.4 million saw it fa
