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New York’s Atlantic Beach Hosts Moonlight Festival Inspired by Humayun Ahmed

Our Correspondent
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New York’s Atlantic Beach Hosts Moonlight Festival Inspired by Humayun Ahmed

NEW YORK, Aug. 2 — Hundreds of members of the Bangladeshi community gathered at Rockaway Beach on New York’s Atlantic coast on July 31 to celebrate the third edition of the “Moonlight Festival,” a cultural event inspired by the late Bangladeshi novelist Humayun Ahmed’s vision of celebrating the beauty of nature under the full moon.

Organized by progressive community and cultural activists who say they uphold the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, the festival transformed the beachfront into a vibrant cultural venue featuring music, poetry, recitation, dance and informal gatherings.

As the full moon rose over the Atlantic Ocean, participants enjoyed an evening of cultural performances and social interaction, creating what organizers described as a celebration of Bangladeshi heritage in the heart of New York.

The event was spearheaded by cultural personality Gopal Sanyal and organizer Swikriti Barua, with support from a team of volunteers.

The festival was formally inaugurated by Ekushey Padak recipient, freedom fighter, author and scientist Dr. Nurun Nabi, who lit the ceremonial lamp. Speakers, including journalist Muhammad Fazlul Rahman, Nurul Amin Babu, Zakaria Chowdhury, Swikriti Barua, Jahangir Dastagir, Ramdas Gharami, Aslam Ahmed Khan and journalist Pinaki Talukdar, emphasized the importance of preserving Bangladeshi culture among expatriate communities.

Popular film actress Moushumi and actor Saju Khadem attended the event, while musical performances were presented by Dinat Jahan Munni, Shah Mahbub, Reshmi Mirza, Bindu Kona, Baul Belal Karim, Karim Hawlader, Alvan Chowdhury, Sagnik Majumdar, Zerin Maisha and several other artists from the Bangladeshi diaspora.

Dance performances were staged by the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), Nrityanjali and Mrithan Dance Academy. The program also featured poetry recitations, Baul music and other cultural presentations throughout the evening.

The event was hosted by Sharmina Siraj Sonia, Tahrina Parveen Priti and Swadhin Majumdar, while media coordination was managed by cultural activist Aslam Ahmad Khan.

Concluding the festival, Gopal Sanyal announced plans to organize an even larger cultural carnival for the Bangladeshi diaspora next year.

LPG Cylinder Price Rises Again, Adding Pressure on Consumers

Siam Parvez
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LPG Cylinder Price Rises Again, Adding Pressure on Consumers

DHAKA — The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders used by millions of Bangladeshi households has increased again, adding fresh financial pressure on consumers, particularly low- and middle-income families already struggling with rising living costs.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Sunday announced a Tk 70 increase in the price of the widely used 12-kilogram LPG cylinder. The new consumer price has been set at Tk 1,598, up from the previous price of Tk 1,528.

According to the BERC notification, the revised price became effective from 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.

The latest increase means households that depend on LPG for cooking will now have to allocate additional money for an essential daily necessity. For many families, especially those without access to piped natural gas, LPG is not an optional expense but a basic requirement for food preparation.

BERC Announces Monthly Price Adjustment

In its notification, BERC said it had fixed the new LPG prices for August 2026 under its existing monthly pricing mechanism.

The commission regularly adjusts LPG prices based on international market factors, including the Saudi Contract Price (CP), which is widely used as a benchmark for global LPG pricing. Previous BERC decisions have also cited changes in import costs, shipping expenses and related charges as factors behind monthly adjustments.

Under the latest decision, the 12-kilogram cylinder price at the retail level, including value-added tax (VAT), has been fixed at Tk 1,598. The previous price was Tk 1,528.

The new rate applies to private-sector LPG marketing companies and retailers across the country.

Consumers Face Additional Household Burden

The latest price hike has raised concerns among consumers who say repeated increases in essential energy costs are putting additional pressure on household budgets.

For lower-income families, even a Tk 70 increase can have a significant impact because LPG costs are a recurring monthly expense. Many households that shifted from traditional cooking fuels to LPG due to convenience and availability now have limited alternatives.

Consumer rights advocates have long argued that price adjustments should be accompanied by stronger market monitoring to ensure that consumers actually receive cylinders at the officially announced rates.

Previous LPG price adjustments have also drawn complaints from consumers that some retailers sell cylinders above the government-fixed price, creating additional financial pressure on households.

Need for Stronger Market Monitoring

While BERC determines the official consumer price, ensuring compliance at the retail level remains a major challenge.

Consumers frequently complain that the price announced by regulators does not always match the price charged by some local dealers, particularly in areas where monitoring is limited.

Consumer protection experts say effective enforcement, transparent supply chains and regular inspections are necessary to ensure that official price reductions are passed on to customers and that price increases do not become an opportunity for excessive retail markups.

The LPG market has expanded significantly in Bangladesh over the past decade as more households have turned to cylinder gas for cooking. However, the growing dependence on LPG also means that price volatility directly affects household expenses.

LPG Remains a Key Household Energy Source

LPG has become one of the most widely used cooking fuels in Bangladesh, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where piped natural gas connections are unavailable or restricted.

The country relies heavily on imported LPG, making domestic prices sensitive to international market movements, foreign currency exchange rates and transportation costs.

BERC has previously explained that monthly adjustments are made to reflect changes in international LPG prices and import-related costs. In February 2026, for example, the commission increased the 12-kilogram cylinder price from Tk 1,306 to Tk 1,356, citing adjustments linked to international LPG pricing.

Similarly, in June 2026, BERC reduced the 12-kilogram cylinder price to Tk 1,885 after adjustments in international pricing and import-related costs.

Calls for Consumer-Friendly Energy Policy

The latest increase has renewed calls for a more consumer-focused energy policy that balances market realities with the affordability needs of ordinary households.

Consumers say authorities should consider the impact of essential energy price increases on families with limited incomes, particularly during periods of broader inflationary pressure.

Experts argue that alongside price adjustments, the government should strengthen consumer protection measures, improve transparency in the LPG supply chain and ensure that vulnerable households are not disproportionately affected by energy market fluctuations.

For millions of families dependent on LPG, the immediate concern remains simple: how to manage another increase in the monthly cost of running their homes.

US Makes Visa Bond Program Permanent for 50 Countries, Including Bangladesh

Hurayra Ahmed
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US Makes Visa Bond Program Permanent for 50 Countries, Including Bangladesh

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1: The United States has made its visa bond program permanent for citizens of 50 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, while raising the maximum bond amount to $20,000.

According to a draft notice published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of State concluded that a one-year review found sufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness of the pilot program. The new regulation is set to take effect on Monday.

Under the revised policy, applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas from the listed countries may be required to pay a visa bond before their interview. The bond amount will now be either $10,000 or $20,000, replacing the previous pilot-scale range of $5,000 to $15,000.

The bond will be fully refunded if the visa application is denied. If a visa is granted, the money will also be returned after the traveler complies with all visa conditions and leaves the United States within the authorized period.

The visa bond initiative was first introduced in August last year as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce visa overstays and combat illegal immigration. U.S. officials estimate that detaining and deporting an individual who overstays a visa costs the government approximately $18,000.

Most African nations, along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, are included in the permanent program. U.S. authorities have also indicated that additional countries could be added to the list in the future.

The policy is expected to affect business travelers, tourists and families from the participating countries who plan to visit the United States.

Congo Ebola Cases Surpass 3,500, Marking World’s Second-Largest Outbreak

Billah
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Congo Ebola Cases Surpass 3,500, Marking World’s Second-Largest Outbreak

KINSHASA, Aug. 1 — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded more than 3,500 confirmed Ebola infections, making the current epidemic the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history, according to government officials.

In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Communication and Media said the number of confirmed cases had risen to 3,532, surpassing the country’s previous record outbreak between August 2018 and June 2020, when about 3,470 people were infected.

The DRC’s Ministry of Public Health reported that the outbreak has claimed 1,556 lives, with a case fatality rate of 44.1%. At least 807 patients remain in isolation or are receiving hospital treatment, while 626 people have recovered.

The acting head of the World Food Programme (WFP), Carl Skau, described the outbreak as the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic ever witnessed and called for greater international attention and support.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said the outbreak has escalated rapidly within three months, with deaths occurring at a rate five times higher than in previous outbreaks during the same period.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic was larger, infecting 28,616 people and killing 11,310 across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Health authorities said the current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The response has been complicated by insecurity in eastern Congo, including attacks on health facilities, the presence of armed groups, reduced international funding, and low public trust in health authorities, all of which have hindered efforts to contain the outbreak.

Three More Children Die as Bangladesh Measles Toll Reaches 840

Rama Bulbul
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Three More Children Die as Bangladesh Measles Toll Reaches 840

DHAKA — Three more children have died with measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh over the latest 24-hour reporting period, taking the number of child deaths associated with confirmed measles and suspected measles symptoms to 840 since March 15, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The latest deaths were reported in Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur, with one child dying in each division, according to the DGHS’s regular measles situation report released on Wednesday.

The figures underscore the continuing severity of an outbreak that has spread widely across Bangladesh and placed particularly young and unvaccinated children at risk.

According to the DGHS data, 872 additional children were reported with confirmed measles or measles-like symptoms during the latest reporting period. Of them, measles was confirmed in 121 children, while another 751 developed symptoms consistent with the disease.

Since March 15, the cumulative number of children affected by confirmed measles or measles-like illness has reached 145,241. Of those, 16,180 children have been confirmed as measles cases, while 129,061 have been recorded as suspected cases based on symptoms.

The death toll has also continued to climb amid criticism of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus over its decision to halt measles vaccinations for children in Bangladesh despite requests from UNICEF to continue the program. The DGHS has recorded 744 deaths among children with measles-like symptoms since March 15, while another 96 children died after measles was confirmed, bringing the combined death toll to 840.

More Than 111,000 Hospitalized

The scale of hospitalization has been particularly severe.

According to the DGHS report, 111,674 children with measles-like symptoms have been admitted to hospitals since March 15. During the same period, 107,397 have been discharged after receiving treatment.

The continuing rise in cases and deaths comes months after international health agencies warned that Bangladesh was experiencing widespread measles transmission.

On April 4, Bangladesh’s National International Health Regulations focal point formally notified the World Health Organization of a significant increase in measles cases driven by sustained domestic transmission. By mid-April, cases had already been reported in 58 of the country’s 64 districts.

At that stage, children under five accounted for the overwhelming majority of reported infections. WHO said 79 percent of cases were among children younger than five, while 66 percent involved children under two. Many of the deaths were occurring among unvaccinated children younger than two.

The latest DGHS figures show that the outbreak has grown dramatically since those early warnings.

Vaccination Gaps Left Young Children Vulnerable

Public health authorities have repeatedly emphasized that measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination.

WHO has linked the outbreak’s severity to gaps in immunization coverage, particularly among children who had received no measles vaccine or had not completed the recommended doses.

Speaking during WHO’s coverage of Bangladesh’s emergency response earlier this year, Dr. Jahangir Alam, WHO’s divisional coordinator for Dhaka, warned that even relatively small gaps in vaccination coverage could allow the virus to spread rapidly.

“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases,” Alam said while discussing the outbreak and emergency vaccination campaign. “Even small gaps in immunization coverage can trigger outbreaks. Every missed child increases the risk, but this is a disease we can prevent.”

UNICEF has similarly warned that at least 95 percent of children need to receive two doses of measles vaccine to achieve the level of population immunity required to stop sustained transmission. The agency said accumulated gaps in vaccination coverage, rather than a single event, can leave enough susceptible children for a major outbreak to develop.

An April UNICEF situation report found that 72 percent of children affected at that stage of the outbreak had received no measles vaccine, while another 16 percent were only partially vaccinated. Children under five accounted for 81 percent of cases in the early phase of the outbreak.

Outbreak Grew Rapidly From March

The scale of the current outbreak becomes clearer when the latest figures are compared with data from its early stages.

As of April 7, UNICEF recorded 9,883 suspected cases and 1,398 laboratory-confirmed infections nationwide, with at least 128 suspected deaths and 21 confirmed deaths.

By April 14, WHO reported 19,161 suspected cases, 2,973 laboratory-confirmed cases, 166 suspected measles-related deaths and 30 confirmed deaths. Cases had already been detected across all eight divisions and in 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts.

The DGHS figures released Wednesday now put the cumulative burden since March 15 at 145,241 confirmed and suspected cases and 840 deaths, illustrating how extensively the disease continued to spread after the initial surge.

A Preventable Disease With Potentially Severe Consequences

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and is among the world’s most contagious infectious diseases. Although many children recover, the disease can cause serious complications, particularly among infants, malnourished children and those who have not been vaccinated.

Complications can include pneumonia, severe diarrhea, dehydration, encephalitis and, in the most serious cases, death.

The disproportionate impact on young children has remained one of the defining features of Bangladesh’s outbreak. WHO’s early surveillance showed that infants and children younger than two accounted for a particularly large proportion of infections and deaths.

With hundreds of children already dead and more than 100,000 requiring hospitalization since mid-March, the continuing deaths highlight the challenge facing health authorities even after the rollout of emergency vaccination.

The immediate priority remains interrupting transmission, ensuring children who missed routine immunization are vaccinated and providing timely treatment to those who develop severe complications.

India Is My Home Now, I May Never Return to Bangladesh”: Taslima Nasrin

Our Correspondent
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India Is My Home Now, I May Never Return to Bangladesh”: Taslima Nasrin

KOLKATA, July 31: Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin has said that India is now her home and that she may never return to Bangladesh, expressing little hope of going back to her birthplace during her lifetime.

Speaking to India Today ahead of a literary event in Kolkata, Nasrin said she believes returning to Bangladesh is “almost impossible” and described any future return as nothing short of a miracle.

I don’t think I will ever be able to return to my home in Bangladesh. If it happens in my lifetime, it would be a miracle,” she said. “Kolkata is my home, and I am very happy to be back in this part of Bengal.”

Nasrin first took refuge in Kolkata after leaving Bangladesh in 1994. However, following protests over her autobiography Dwikhandito, she was forced to leave the city in 2007 and later settled in New Delhi.

The author returned to Kolkata on Friday for the first time in 19 years to attend a literary programme.

She also thanked India’s BJP-led government for allowing her to visit Kolkata again.
“I want to thank the government from the bottom of my heart. The doors of Kolkata, which had once been closed to me, have finally opened. I hope they remain open so that I can come here whenever I wish and breathe the free air of Bengal,” she said.

Nasrin further alleged that despite efforts to return during the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee after 2011, she was not permitted to do so.

Taslima Nasrin has lived in exile since leaving Bangladesh in 1994 following controversy surrounding her writings on religion and women’s rights.

FIFA Scraps Controversial World Cup Rights Sale Plan Amid Global Backlash

Adity Mohajon
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FIFA Scraps Controversial World Cup Rights Sale Plan Amid Global Backlash

ZURICH, Aug. 1: FIFA has officially abandoned its controversial plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup after mounting criticism from across the football world, threats of a European boycott, and growing opposition within its own administration.

In an emergency statement issued on Friday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the proposal had created deep divisions within global football and was no longer in the best interests of the sport. He confirmed that the plan had been formally withdrawn by consensus.

The proposal had reportedly sought to attract private investment by offering a share in the tournament’s commercial rights. According to reports, FIFA had also proposed a financial package worth $40 million for each of its 211 member associations in an effort to secure support.

However, UEFA, representing 55 European football associations, warned that it would boycott future FIFA World Cups if the proposal was approved. The opposition quickly expanded as both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf joined UEFA in rejecting the plan, effectively denying FIFA the votes required to pass the measure.

The controversy also exposed divisions within FIFA. Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour acknowledged that senior officials had not been fully informed about the project. Meanwhile, Carlos Cordeiro, FIFA’s Senior Adviser on Global Strategy and Governance, resigned, describing the proposal as harmful to the future of football.

The political fallout also intensified, with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly questioning Infantino’s suitability to lead FIFA.

The setback comes as the 56-year-old Swiss official prepares to seek a fourth term as FIFA president at the FIFA Congress in March 2027. Analysts say the unprecedented unity among Europe, Asia and the Americas has cast uncertainty over his re-election prospects.

Infantino has now called for renewed dialogue among all football stakeholders to restore unity, but observers believe the episode has significantly weakened his authority within world football.

Abandoned SpaceX Rocket Stage Set to Crash Into the Moon

Adity Mohajon
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Abandoned SpaceX Rocket Stage Set to Crash Into the Moon

WASHINGTON: An abandoned upper stage of a SpaceX rocket is on course to crash into the Moon next week, more than a year after it launched two lunar landers into space, creating a rare scientific opportunity for researchers.

The rocket stage is expected to slam into the Moon near Einstein Crater on Wednesday at about 5,400 mph (8,690 km/h)—roughly seven times the speed of sound. Scientists believe the impact will generate a large crater and eject a massive cloud of dust and debris visible through telescopes for several minutes.

The impact is expected to be best observed from eastern regions of Canada and South America. Space-tracking expert Bill Gray, who plans to observe the event from New Brunswick, Canada, said the collision will release energy equivalent to about three tons of TNT, sending lunar dust several kilometres above the surface.

According to Benjamin Fernando of Los Alamos National Laboratory, the impact could leave a crater about 90 feet (27 metres) wide and 16 feet (5 metres) deep. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter are expected to capture images of the site before and after the collision.

The rocket stage was launched on January 15, 2025, carrying Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander and Japan’s ispace lander. After completing its mission, the upper stage was left drifting through space before its trajectory gradually led it toward the Moon.

Scientists say the incident highlights the growing challenge of space debris. In 2022, a discarded Chinese rocket stage also struck the Moon’s far side unexpectedly.

Retired astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell warned that such uncontrolled impacts could become a serious concern as countries and private companies plan permanent bases on the Moon. He stressed the need for better monitoring and management of discarded spacecraft to reduce future risks.
Source: AP

Sheikh Hasin’s Exclusive Interview with Indian Outlook

Our Correspondent
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Sheikh Hasin’s Exclusive Interview with Indian Outlook

New Delhi. India.

Saurabh Sharma: How do you assess the current political situation in Bangladesh?

Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh is passing through a profound political crisis. This is not simply a matter of one government replacing another. It is a question about the very character of the state itself. It is a question of democracy, the rule of law, and the ideals of our Liberation War.

When we were in government, we worked to build Bangladesh as a secular, democratic, development oriented, and secure nation. Today, that Bangladesh is being replaced by fear, mob violence, politics of vengeance, attacks on religious minorities, economic instability, and growing extremism.

A country that was steadily advancing toward prosperity, public confidence, and international respect has now been dragged into an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and darkness. This is not an accident. It is the direct consequence of the destructive politics pursued by Bangladesh’s former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and the current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman.

Saurabh Sharma: Prime Minister Rahman chose China, rather than India, for his first major bilateral visit. How do you view that decision?

Sheikh Hasina: Every government has the sovereign right to determine its diplomatic priorities. However, in a normal state, those priorities should be guided by history, geography, national interest, and the welfare of its people.

Bangladesh’s foreign policy should never send the wrong message to its neighbors, particularly to our historic friend, India.

The relationship between Bangladesh and India is not merely one between two governments. It is founded upon our Liberation War, the blood sacrifice that united us, our shared geography, our common security interests, and the enduring bonds between our peoples.

Bangladesh should maintain balanced relations with all friendly nations. We should work closely with China, Japan, the United States, Europe, and others. But balance does not mean forgetting history. Nor does it mean creating uncertainty with a trusted and time tested friend.

Saurabh Sharma: How do you view the recent changes in Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan, particularly in the areas of trade and defense?

Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh was born through a bloody War of Liberation against Pakistan. The people of Bangladesh have never forgotten the genocide, mass rape, arson, and destruction carried out by the Pakistani military and its local collaborators.

Therefore, any relationship with Pakistan must be based upon an acknowledgment of historical truth.

What we are witnessing today, however, goes far beyond the restoration of normal diplomatic relations. Under the guise of diplomatic goodwill, there appears to be an attempt to weaken the ideals of our Liberation War.

We are seeing efforts to rehabilitate pro Pakistan forces, expand Pakistan’s influence within the military and administrative institutions, and steer the younger generation toward Pakistani institutions. These developments carry profound political implications.

Those who seek to draw Bangladesh back into Pakistan’s shadow are engaged in an extremely dangerous political project.

Saurabh Sharma: During your tenure, Bangladesh and India made remarkable progress in security cooperation, connectivity, and counterterrorism. Do you believe those achievements are now at risk?

Sheikh Hasina: There are political forces in Bangladesh that have consistently used India as a political weapon. Anti India rhetoric has always been one of their principal political tools. They employ it not in the national interest, but for narrow partisan gains.

Our government concluded a number of landmark agreements with India, including the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement, the Land Boundary Agreement, the settlement of maritime disputes, regional transit connectivity, cooperation in power and energy, refugee repatriation, and counterterrorism collaboration. These achievements did not occur by chance.

Yet during the eighteen months of the interim administration and throughout the tenure of the current government, they have failed to produce a single agreement of comparable significance. People are now beginning to understand the gap between their political rhetoric and actual performance.

If extremism continues to grow in Bangladesh, if religious minorities are forced to live in fear, and if anti India politics receives state patronage, then all these hard-won achievements will come under serious pressure.

Both New Delhi and Dhaka must look beyond short-term diplomatic calculations and focus instead on long term stability, democracy, security, and the confidence of their peoples.

Saurabh Sharma: It has been reported that the current government is discouraging the media from broadcasting your speeches and interviews.

Sheikh Hasina: It is not only my voice, nor only the Awami League, that is being silenced. Today, everyone in Bangladesh who speaks in favor of the Liberation War, secular politics, and progressive values is being pushed out of public life.

Freedom of expression has effectively been sent into exile. In its place, a culture of fear has taken root.

Teachers, journalists, intellectuals, artists, and performers are being arrested under fabricated charges or subjected to attacks by extremist groups.

Saurabh Sharma: You have repeatedly expressed your desire to return to Bangladesh. Under what circumstances do you believe that return will be possible?

Sheikh Hasina: As I have said before, I will return to Bangladesh this year. I want to return because Bangladesh is not doing well, and its people are suffering.

The unconstitutional interim administration that seized power through extra constitutional means, followed by the current BNP government formed through what I consider a staged election, is pushing the country toward destruction.

Today, there is no rule of law, no freedom of expression, and no meaningful space for democratic rights. A culture of fear has been imposed upon the people. At such a time, I cannot remain outside my country.

The people of Bangladesh want me to return. They believe I can help free them from their present hardships. Standing beside them is not merely a political responsibility; it is my duty.

Saurabh Sharma: How will your party rebuild itself under the current circumstances?

Sheikh Hasina: Every political party must, at some point in its history, undergo difficult trials. The Awami League is passing through such a period today. I regard it as a process of self-purification.

Those who joined the party because of its ideals are standing with it today with even greater determination. Those who entered for personal gain, power, or privilege have either abandoned the party or chosen silence, thereby revealing their true character.

This has not weakened the Awami League. On the contrary, it has made the party stronger and more resilient.

I have always encouraged young leadership. Today, many young leaders continue to carry the banner of the Awami League with courage despite state repression, persecution, and intimidation. They represent the future of our party.

Once a democratic environment is restored, the party will be reorganized through a fresh council. Talented, patriotic young leaders who believe in the ideals of the Liberation War will be brought into leadership positions. Preparations for that process have already begun.

Saurabh Sharma: You are currently staying in New Delhi. How has India treated you during this difficult period?

Sheikh Hasina: India has received me with the utmost respect, dignity, and courtesy. I remain in regular contact with my family, party leaders and activists, and my well-wishers.

I am grateful to both the Government and the people of India. They have stood by us during this difficult period, just as they stood with us in 1971.

Living in India has only deepened my appreciation of that shared history. Whenever Bangladesh has faced a crisis, the relationship between the peoples of Bangladesh and India has extended far beyond diplomacy. It has always been rooted in humanity and history.

As I have already said, I will return to Bangladesh this year because my country is not well, and its people are suffering. The current BNP government is driving the nation toward destruction.

Saurabh Sharma: Are you in contact with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi or National Security Adviser Ajit Doval? How do you view India’s position regarding the current situation in Bangladesh?

Sheikh Hasina: Not every diplomatic or personal communication can be discussed publicly.

India is Bangladesh’s most important neighbor and a historic friend.

I believe India’s policymakers are observing developments in Bangladesh very closely.

I am also confident that they understand that Bangladesh’s stability, India’s security, and the broader interests of the region are deeply interconnected.

Saurabh Sharma: Looking back on your final years in office, is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Sheikh Hasina: During our time in government, criticism was everywhere. It appeared in newspapers, on television, across online platforms, in talk shows, and throughout social media.

People criticized me, my government, and my party every day. I listened to those criticisms. Wherever correction was necessary, we made those corrections.

No one was ever declared an enemy of the state simply for criticizing the government.

Saurabh Sharma: How essential do you believe Bangladesh India relations are for regional stability?

Sheikh Hasina: A stable, friendly, and mutually trusting relationship between Bangladesh and India is indispensable for the welfare of the people of both countries and for the security and stability of the entire region.

The foundation of trust that we built with India was based on border security, counterterrorism cooperation, energy and power partnerships, regional connectivity, the peaceful settlement of maritime and land boundary disputes, and stronger people to people ties.

This is precisely the kind of relationship that should exist between two neighboring countries.

Joy Bangla. Joy Bangabandhu.

Trump’s Special Envoy in Bangladesh Signals a New Diplomatic Equation 

Aranya Neel
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Trump’s Special Envoy in Bangladesh Signals a New Diplomatic Equation 

Dhaka, 1 August. The visit of US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy, Sergio Gor, to Dhaka, following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s high profile visit to China, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s trip to Moscow, and the recent visit of Türkiye’s foreign minister to Bangladesh, has brought the country’s foreign policy into renewed international focus. Far from being a routine diplomatic engagement, analysts view the visit as a strategic mission reflecting Washington’s growing attention to Bangladesh amid an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape in South Asia.

Diplomatic observers believe the United States has been closely monitoring Dhaka’s expanding engagement with Beijing, Moscow, and Ankara. While Bangladesh continues to pursue a multidimensional foreign policy aimed at diversifying its strategic partnerships, Washington appears keen to ensure that these expanding relationships do not dilute the long standing strategic partnership between Bangladesh and the United States. There is also growing concern within American policy circles that any significant geopolitical drift by Dhaka could complicate regional security dynamics and undermine broader US Indo Pacific objectives.

On the first day of his three-day visit, Sergio Gor is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Diplomats and foreign policy analysts regard these discussions as particularly significant, coming immediately after the Prime Minister’s Beijing visit and against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s increasingly active engagement with major regional and global powers.

Gor is the third senior American official to visit Bangladesh since the BNP government assumed office in February. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur visited Dhaka in March, followed in May by Brendan Lynch, Assistant United States Trade Representative for South and Central Asia. The succession of high level visits reflects Washington’s growing strategic interest in Bangladesh at a time when regional alignments are undergoing rapid transformation.

According to diplomatic sources, Gor’s itinerary includes eight publicly announced engagements alongside twelve undisclosed meetings. These private consultations are expected to bring together representatives of political parties, members of civil society, academics, journalists, business leaders, and other influential stakeholders. Analysts believe these meetings are intended to provide Washington with a comprehensive assessment of Bangladesh’s domestic political landscape, its evolving foreign policy priorities, and its future role within the Indo Pacific strategic architecture.

Even before arriving in Dhaka, Gor indicated the broader purpose of his mission. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he stated that one of his principal objectives was to reduce mistrust and diplomatic discomfort among Dhaka, New Delhi, and Washington. Chinese state affiliated media, however, have interpreted the visit through a different lens, portraying it as another manifestation of Washington’s increasingly assertive regional strategy aimed at counterbalancing China’s expanding influence in South Asia.

Regardless of these competing narratives, several former Bangladeshi diplomats argue that the visit should not automatically be interpreted as an unequivocally positive signal for the BNP led government. At the same time, political observers have begun questioning whether the visit carries any indirect implications for the future of the Awami League, which remains banned under an executive order. Although no official indication has emerged, the issue has become a subject of considerable political speculation.

Meanwhile, shortly after returning from Moscow, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman held a nearly two hour closed door meeting with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka. While neither side disclosed details of the discussion, officials familiar with the meeting suggested it focused on easing diplomatic tensions arising from several recent developments and exploring possible avenues for resolving outstanding bilateral issues. Some analysts also believe Sergio Gor’s visit could facilitate broader strategic dialogue among Bangladesh, India, and the United States, helping to reduce regional mistrust and improve policy coordination.

President Donald Trump appointed businessman, political figure, and former White House official Sergio Gor as the United States Special Envoy for South and Central Asia in August 2025. Since assuming the post, he has emerged as one of the principal architects of Washington’s regional diplomacy. Based in New Delhi since January, Gor oversees US strategic engagement not only with India but also with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. His earlier visits to Nepal and Sri Lanka formed part of this broader regional strategy, making his Dhaka mission another important step in Washington’s evolving South Asia policy.

Viewed in this broader context, Sergio Gor’s visit extends well beyond the scope of a bilateral diplomatic engagement. It reflects Washington’s effort to recalibrate its South Asia strategy at a time when Bangladesh is simultaneously deepening ties with China, Russia, Türkiye, and other regional partners. As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo Pacific, Dhaka finds itself navigating an increasingly delicate strategic balancing act. The significance of this visit will therefore lie not only in the official meetings held in Dhaka but also in the signals it sends about Bangladesh’s future foreign policy direction, its strategic autonomy, and its place within an increasingly contested regional order.

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