Diplomatic Desk:
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has emphasized the importance of increasing parliamentary cooperation and mutual engagement to further strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
He made this call on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) when a visiting delegation—led by MP Apsana Begum, Chair of the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh—paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation also included UK MP Shaukat Adam and Lord Kurban Hussain of the House of Lords. The State Minister welcomed the delegation and commended the APPG’s continued interest in strengthening Bangladesh-UK ties.
During the meeting, the State Minister highlighted the UK government’s cooperation regarding Bangladesh’s democratic consolidation and reform initiatives. He noted that the APPG could play a vital role in bridging the UK Parliament, Bangladesh, and the British-Bangladeshi community.
He sought the APPG’s cooperation in fostering more effective engagement to highlight Bangladesh’s progress and ground realities within the UK Parliament.
Discussing the Rohingya crisis, the State Minister observed that this protracted crisis is no longer confined to humanitarian concerns alone; broader issues such as regional security and irregular migration have also become intertwined with it. He called for stronger initiatives from the international community to ensure the rapid, safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas.
It was announced that the delegation would visit the Rohingya camps tomorrow. During the meeting, the APPG representatives expressed their support for alleviating the suffering of the Rohingya people. They also assured that they would raise their voices more forcefully in the UK Parliament and other international forums regarding the continuation of humanitarian aid and the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland. During the meeting, discussions were held on further strengthening parliamentary cooperation and exchanges between Bangladesh and the UK, as well as on various issues of mutual interest, including democratic solidarity, trade and investment, migration, skilled workforce management, and human rights.
Additionally, the two sides exchanged views on various regional and global issues. Interest was also expressed in continuing cooperation between Bangladesh and the UK within relevant bilateral and multilateral platforms.
