Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia shortly, following an official invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which the Prime Minister has formally accepted. The development was announced by Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir during a briefing with journalists on Monday.
Diplomatic Engagement Details
Kabir elaborated on the bilateral interaction, stating that Saudi Ambassador Dr. Abdullah Jafar H. Bin Abiyah called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Secretariat. A cordial discussion took place, including an exchange of pleasantries. The ambassador conveyed greetings from the Crown Prince and extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to visit the Kingdom.
Kabir further noted that the diplomatic engagement points towards a reciprocal high-level visit from Riyadh to Dhaka. The ambassador indicated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is very interested in visiting Bangladesh at a convenient time.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Underscoring the trajectory of the long-standing geopolitical relationship, Kabir emphasized Dhaka's commitment to deepening engagement with Riyadh across critical domains. “We are very positive about having strategic cooperation and partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Historically, our bilateral relations have always been good. We will further strengthen them, and the ties will reach, Inshallah, new heights,” he said.
The adviser highlighted that the upcoming high-level interactions are poised to unlock substantial economic opportunities, noting a surge in commercial interest from both public and private entities in Saudi Arabia. “We will strengthen our diplomatic relations, as well as the volume of trade and investment in our partnership. There has been tremendous interest this morning from Saudi Arabia, both from the private sector and the government, in investing in Bangladesh,” Kabir observed.
Significance of the Visit
Kabir described the development as a significant moment in bilateral relations, noting that not only has the Prime Minister been invited to visit Saudi Arabia, but the Crown Prince has also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh. “It is both ways,” he said.
Reflecting on the diplomatic strides made by the administration since assuming office, Kabir traced the breakthrough to sustained, proactive regional outreach over the last four months. “It only shows how significant these four months have been for the Government of Bangladesh after our new government was elected and that we have established brotherly ties across the Middle East,” he stated.
Kabir noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, through his special envoy, traveled across the Middle East during that period. “This gesture from our Prime Minister has established tremendous goodwill in the Middle East. Part of that has culminated in a significant moment where we will strengthen and increase our strategic communication and partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he concluded.
