Bangladesh, UK seek stronger ties thru parliamentary diplomacy

Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy, with emphasis on expanding trade and investment and fostering closer people-to-people ties.

The commitment came during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and British parliamentarians Lord Hussain and Imran Hussain at the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Thursday, said a foreign ministry press release here today.

The two parliamentarians are members of the UK Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on advancing the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and the UK through parliamentary engagement and mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of common interest.

Shama outlined the government's key priorities in social development, healthcare, education and energy, highlighting its commitment to equal rights, religious harmony and inclusive, sustainable development.

The British parliamentarians welcomed Bangladesh's democratic transition and expressed their aspirations for a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive future for the country.

The discussions also covered the Rohingya crisis, with both sides stressing the importance of sustained international support for its resolution.

They underscored the need to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and widening cooperation.