Tarique Put Bangladesh’s Interests First at UN: Mahdi

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman prioritised Bangladesh’s national interests and highlighted the country’s democratic journey during his recent visit to the United States for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, PM’s Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday.

“After a long time, the head of a government elected by the people represented Bangladesh on the global stage. It was a strong and significant step forward for democracy. In every aspect, the Prime Minister ensured that ‘Bangladesh comes first,’” Mahdi said.

“He kept the national interest intact in the international arena, protected it to the greatest extent and highlighted Bangladesh’s democratic journey before the world,” he said at a press conference on the Prime Minister’s UNGA visit at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon also spoke at the press conference.

Mahdi described Tarique Rahman’s UN visit as historic, saying the Prime Minister spent four days in the United States, apart from one day travelling to the country and another returning to Bangladesh.

During the four days, the Prime Minister participated in 30 official programmes, held formal bilateral meetings with 11 countries, delivered six speeches and gave his main address to the UN General Assembly, Mahdi said.

Other members of the delegation attended around 50 meetings, bringing Bangladesh’s representation at bilateral and multilateral engagements during the visit to more than 80, he said.

The 11 countries with which Tarique held bilateral meetings were Pakistan, Bhutan, the Maldives, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Thailand, Türkiye, Croatia and Haiti.

In those meetings, the Prime Minister discussed building bilateral relations based on equality, justice and dignity, Mahdi said.

He said Bangladesh sought partnerships, investment and trade with countries around the world to promote self-reliance, economic empowerment and inclusive development.

According to Mahdi, the Prime Minister’s engagements covered Bangladesh’s national interests, sovereignty, trade and investment, manpower exports, energy security, regional cooperation, the Rohingya crisis, health, climate change and international peace.

Mahdi also highlighted the Prime Minister’s participation in an event focused on resolving the Rohingya crisis.

He said Tarique presented five proposals for the safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and sought greater support from international stakeholders and development partners.

According to Mahdi, the discussions emphasised that the crisis originating in Myanmar should ultimately be resolved in Myanmar, while the international community should simultaneously increase pressure and negotiations for repatriation and provide greater economic assistance to Bangladesh, which hosts the refugees.

He said the international community appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian support for the Rohingyas and that development partners assured Bangladesh of cooperation.

Mahdi said Tarique Rahman’s address at the UN General Assembly marked a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history.

He noted that Tarique was the third member of his family, after his father Ziaur Rahman and mother Khaleda Zia, to represent Bangladesh at the UN General Assembly.

Mahdi also pointed out that the UN General Assembly was being presided over by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, a member of Tarique’s Cabinet.

He said the Prime Minister’s speech presented what he described as a new direction for Bangladesh and highlighted accountability, transparency and the government’s commitment to people’s empowerment.

Mahdi said the overall visit demonstrated Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen its position in international diplomacy while advancing its national interests and seeking wider global partnerships.