22 days 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
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month ago
Bangladesh have said former star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan had no prospect of returning to play after he joined a media event with ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a convicted fugitive.
Shakib joined the event by telephone in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Hasina addressed journalists, two years after she was forced from power following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests.
Bangladesh Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said the government had previously taken a more open approach towards Shakib, who was a politician for Hasina's former ruling Awami League party.
Shakib, who is currently in Sri Lanka, was among dozens facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters that toppled Hasina's government.
"We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore," Haque said in a statement.
#hasina #Event
Shakib joined the event by telephone in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Hasina addressed journalists, two years after she was forced from power following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests.
Bangladesh Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said the government had previously taken a more open approach towards Shakib, who was a politician for Hasina's former ruling Awami League party.
Shakib, who is currently in Sri Lanka, was among dozens facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters that toppled Hasina's government.
"We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore," Haque said in a statement.
#hasina #Event
1 month 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
