PM’s possible Japan, Türkiye, KSA visits under discussion

Bangladesh is discussing possible visits by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Japan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia in October and November, officials said.

Dhaka is considering invitations from Japan and Saudi Arabia for separate bilateral visits, while Tarique has also been invited to attend COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.

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State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, where they discussed COP31, including the prime minister’s participation, a senior foreign ministry official said.

Japan has invited Tarique to make an official visit at a mutually convenient time. Preliminary discussions suggest the visit could take place in the last week of October, a diplomatic source told the news agency, adding that nothing had been finalised.

In April, Tarique joined an online meeting at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as Bangladesh welcomed a Japan-led initiative on regional energy issues.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has also invited Tarique to Saudi Arabia for talks on bilateral relations and regional and international issues.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter during a meeting with Tarique at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat last month.

The visit could take place in November if the two sides agree on dates.

Meanwhile, a section of Indian media has reported that Tarique may visit India in November or early December, while Dhaka is looking for a “propitious environment” for a bilateral visit.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi last month expressed optimism that such a visit would take place “much sooner”.

“Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful,” he said, adding that he wanted to see a golden chapter in Bangladesh-India relations.

The discussions come after Tarique’s visit to New York for the 81st UNGA session, where he held meetings with heads of state and government of seven countries over four working days.