PM writes to Qatar Emir, offers Bangladesh’s support during Gulf conflict

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has written to Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressing Bangladesh’s readiness to provide assistance amid the war in the Gulf region.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir handed over PM’s letter to Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi.

“In the letter, the prime minister conveyed Bangladesh’s solidarity with the leadership, government and brotherly people of Qatar in the context of the current regional situation,” according to a statement of the foreign ministry today.

Humaiun Kobir reached Qatar on March 29 as part of his tour to the Gulf region, which has been facing attacks from Iran after the US-Israel started a war against the country on February 28.

About six million Bangladeshis, among millions of other South Asian migrants, face uncertainties about their jobs and businesses, with many already affected by the war. Thousands of Bangladeshis failed to join work as flights have been largely cancelled, while many are also failing to return home.

Qatar’s economy has been among the worst affected by missile and drone attacks by Iran on Gulf states. An attack earlier this month on the country’s Ras Laffan LNG production hub knocked out 17 percent of the plant’s LNG export capacity, equivalent to 3-4 percent of global LNG supplies.

According to the foreign ministry statement, Tarique Rahman’s letter to the Qatari emir expressed gratitude for Qatar’s continued hosting of approximately 450,000 Bangladeshi expatriates and for the measures taken by the Qatari authorities to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

He further recalled with deep appreciation the gracious gesture of the emir in arranging special air ambulances in January and May 2025 for the transfer of his mother and former PM Begum Khaleda Zia to London for her urgent medical treatment.

During the meeting with the Qatari state minister, PM’s foreign affairs adviser appreciated Qatar’s constructive role in promoting peace, dialogue, and humanitarian diplomacy.

Later, Humaiun Kobir visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Doha and discussed matters relating to the welfare of Bangladeshis residing in Qatar.