Bangladesh seeks Russia’s support for BRICS, SCO entry

Bangladesh has sought Russia's support for joining BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as the two countries discussed strengthening cooperation among Global South nations in international forums, including the United Nations.

The issue came up during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow today.

"The Russian foreign minister replied positively," Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, referring to Dhaka's request for support in securing membership in BRICS and the SCO.

BRICS -- originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa -- is an intergovernmental grouping that serves as a political, economic, and diplomatic platform aimed at increasing the influence of the Global South in international governance.

The bloc expanded in 2023 with the admission of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia. Bangladesh also applied for membership that year but did not secure sufficient support.

The SCO, meanwhile, is a major Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance consisting of ten member states. Bangladesh is seeking to expand relationships with these countries.

Khalilur arrived in Moscow on Sunday for a three-day visit at Lavrov's invitation. Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Nazrul Islam also attended the meeting.

During the talks, Khalilur requested Russia's support for concluding a free trade agreement between Bangladesh and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), whose members are Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

With annual bilateral trade exceeding $2 billion, Bangladesh also sought duty-free, quota-free access for its products in the Russian market and requested a faster registration process for Bangladeshi goods.

The two sides reviewed progress on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The first unit of Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant was commissioned on April 28, while the second unit is expected to begin operations later this year.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate up to 10 percent of Bangladesh's total electricity supply.

The ministers agreed to expand cooperation in a range of sectors, including industry, power, energy, agriculture, research, technology, culture, education, tourism, transport, and defence.

Khalilur also invited Russian investment in Bangladesh's special economic zones and hi-tech parks, particularly in light and heavy engineering, food and agro-processing, petrochemicals, steel manufacturing, and information technology.

The two sides further discussed the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for safe and secure employment opportunities in Russia and emphasised the need for the early conclusion of pending memorandums of understanding and bilateral agreements.

Lavrov reiterated Russia's support for the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and also expressed support for efforts to repatriate Bangladeshi nationals stranded in Russia.

The Russian foreign minister congratulated Khalilur on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He expressed support for Khalilur's efforts to improve the efficiency of the UNGA and strengthen the UN's role in addressing increasingly complex global challenges.

Bangladesh and Russia will mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in January 2027.

"We want to celebrate this upcoming anniversary with concrete agreements," Khalilur said.