Bangladesh has said Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is facing difficulties in conducting its operations due to US-imposed sanctions and this might encourage radical elements in the country and make the law-and-order situation worse and create regional instability.

The US wants Bangladesh on its side as it endeavours to end the war in Ukraine, said a top American diplomat yesterday.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will not be joining the forty-eighth session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to be held on March 22-23 in Islamabad.

The United States sees progress in terms of Rapid Action Battalion’s performance in the last three months since it imposed sanctions on the force and seven of its current and former officials.

US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland today said the US wants Bangladesh on its side in the context of Russia-Ukraine.

DS: Bangladesh’s priority in the dialogue will be withdrawal of the US sanctions on Rab and reinstatement of the Generalised System of Preferences facility that was suspended in 2013. Do you think that Bangladesh will be able to make any headway?

Bangladesh and the US are going to hold a crucial dialogue in Dhaka today that will help determine the next course of relations between the two nations.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has written a letter to Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, expecting to usher in a new chapter of relationship with Bangladesh as the two countries celebrate the 50 years of diplomatic ties this year.

Bangladesh and the US are set to hold a crucial dialogue in Dhaka tomorrow, the first of a series of bilateral meetings in the coming weeks, which will help determine the next course of relationship as the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relationship.

South Korea is looking at bringing in investments of major Korean brands like Samsung, Hyundai and Daewoo to Bangladesh in the areas of construction, engineering, electronics and automobiles as Bangladesh is improving its investment environment and expanding market base.

US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit today.

Mayor of Washington DC Muriel Bowser has extended her heartfelt greetings to the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the country's 52nd Independence and National Day to be celebrated on March 26.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh and India would continue to work together to realise the collective aspirations of their citizens.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis today appreciated Sheikh Hasina for her leadership in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work together on boosting security cooperation in their respective regions and beyond as the geopolitical landscape is shifting following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen today said Bangladesh-India Maitri (friendship) is higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the ocean. 

Saudi Arabia will take all measures possible to stabilise oil prices in the global market, said Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud today following the first political consultation of the kingdom with Bangladesh.

Sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion and its top officials do not mean that the US does not want to build on its relationship with Bangladesh, which is based on shared values of human rights, democracy, security and development, said an embassy official.

Foreign diplomats applauded Bangladesh’s proactive policy of women empowerment, while also calling for continuing efforts that are imperative for sustainable development.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas today said Bangladesh is an important US partner and the bilateral relationship is "broad and dynamic".