Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key counterparts on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, reaffirming Dhaka’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and deepening its diplomatic engagement with the Muslim world.

According to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Dr Rahman met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar of Pakistan, Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed A. Elkhreiji, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya, Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian, and Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie, who chaired the Executive Meeting.

The leaders congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s electoral victory and his assumption of office, expressing optimism that Bangladesh would experience political stability and accelerated development under his leadership. They also commended Bangladesh’s steadfast stance on Palestine and pledged full support for the country’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

During his meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar recalled his earlier discussion with the late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and conveyed that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif looked forward to visiting Dhaka to congratulate Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Both sides expressed hope that bilateral relations would deepen under the new government.

Greetings with Arab member state 

In his discussion with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Kulaklikaya, Dr Rahman highlighted the historic friendship between the two nations and agreed to broaden cooperation in trade, education, and humanitarian sectors. He expressed appreciation for Turkey’s continued support for Rohingya refugees and extended an invitation to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Bangladesh after Ramadan.

Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Elkhreiji emphasized the potential for enhanced partnership under Saudi Vision 2030 and invited Dr Rahman to visit Riyadh. Both sides identified investment and energy cooperation as key areas of mutual interest and agreed to jointly explore opportunities for future collaboration. Elkhreiji also sought Bangladesh’s support for reform initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat.

In his meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Aghabekian, Dr Rahman reiterated Bangladesh’s firm support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinian side expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s consistent advocacy and pledged support from the Arab-Islamic bloc for Bangladesh’s UNGA presidency bid.

During his exchange with Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie, Dr Rahman thanked Gambia for its leadership in pursuing justice for the Rohingya people through the International Court of Justice case against Myanmar. Both ministers agreed to co-host a special event on the Rohingya issue during the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad this April.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabi accompanied the Foreign Minister during the meetings.

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