Porimol Palma

Bangladesh would seek strong US role in mobilising climate fund as pledged by developed countries for mitigation and adaptation as US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry arrives in Dhaka today.

Bangladesh was in focus of the global community last week as the country celebrated the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

What could be a more momentous event for Indo-Bangla relations than the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh whose birth is historically related to India?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives today to join the celebrations of Mujib Borsho and golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.

Dhaka and Colombo are expected to sign at least five MoUs today to bolster the bilateral relationship in the areas of trade, investment and coastal shipping.

The Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relationship is set to see a boost as the two South Asian countries are going to sign at least four MoUs on trade, tourism, fisheries, and health today.

The country starts its 10-day celebrations of Mujib Borsho and golden jubilee of independence today with colourful events and presence of global leaders.

The United Nations is going to send a delegation to visit Bhasan Char, where the government has developed a housing facility for 100,000 Rohingyas but faced reservations from aid agencies about the move.

TDS: How do you evaluate the 50 years of relationship between Bangladesh and the UK?

A number of big British companies are interested to invest in Bangladesh to benefit from the country’s large consumer base, said British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson.

Foreigners in Bangladesh can start registration for Covid-19 vaccination from March 17, the birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as the government planned inoculation of all eligible people.

Thousands of poor Bangladeshi workers who faced physical, mental and financial exploitation over the years due to Kazi Papul’s crimes have so far been denied justice.

There will be a number of high-profile visits to Bangladesh later this month, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, to attend the country’s celebrations of 50 years of independence.

A decision on parliament membership of Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul is likely to be made in two to three days, around three weeks after a Kuwait court sentenced him to four years in prison in a bribery case.

The government is planning a foreign diplomats’ visit to Bhasan Char. Over 7,000 Rohingyas have already been relocated to the island from Cox’s Bazar and more will be joining them in the coming days.

Myanmar has raised objection over The Gambia’s eligibility in filing a genocide case with the International Court of Justice -- a move that could delay justice for the Rohingya minority.

The coronavirus pandemic has rattled the economies, but it has also brought some lessons: the world needs to cooperate and collaborate to develop resilient systems. So thinks Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami.

Rohingya repatriation would now depend on how the international community reacts to yesterday’s coup, experts have said.

TDS: Bangladesh celebrates its Golden Jubilee of Independence, as well as diplomatic relations with India, this year. How do you evaluate Bangladesh’s progress and the diplomatic relations between the two countries?

Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul was part of an organised gang and he allegedly acted like a mafia boss who extorted money from the poor and low-income Bangladeshi migrant workers in Kuwait, reported the media there.