Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in the People's Republic of Bangladesh for his first official visit to the country. His plane landed at Dhaka's international airport, following his participation in the East Asian summit in Indonesia.
Lavrov's itinerary in Bangladesh includes meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Abdul Kalam Abdul Momen. During these engagements, the two sides will consider the current status and the future prospects of Russian-Bangladeshi relations, as well as address pressing regional and international issues.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, mentioned during a briefing that Lavrov's visit also aims to deepen the diplomatic ties between the two nations. The most recent meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and Bangladesh took place in July 2021, on the sidelines of an international conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, themed "Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectedness. Challenges and Opportunities."
Longstanding partner
The Russian Foreign Ministry underscored Bangladesh's status as a longstanding and dependable partner of Moscow in the South Asian region. The year prior marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It was noted that in 1972, Russia was among the first nations to recognize Bangladesh's independence and provided significant political and economic support. Additionally, Soviet military sailors undertook a mission between 1972 and 1974 to demine the main Bangladeshi port of Chittagong and clear its water area of sunken ships.
Moreover, political dialogue has consistently strengthened, including at the highest levels. Significant meetings between Russian and Bangladeshi leaders include Russian President Vladimir Putin's encounter with then-Bangladesh President Abudul Hamid on June 15, 2019, during the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in Dushanbe. In 2013, Putin held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Moscow. Contacts have also been actively maintained through parliamentary channels, and productive cooperation has been established in various United Nations and other multilateral structures.
Of particular note, Bangladesh is a member of the BRICS group of friends and has expressed its readiness to join the association. This matter could be discussed during the upcoming engagements. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the importance of BRICS in global politics, highlighting its role in the multipolar system. She remarked, "We need BRICS as a stabilizing force in a multipolar world. We hope to witness BRICS evolve into an inclusive platform to address contemporary challenges."
Cooperation in economy and education
Economic cooperation holds a significant position in the bilateral relationship. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the trade turnover between the two nations has consistently exceeded $2 billion in recent years. Russia primarily exports industrial equipment, metals, mineral fertilizers, and wheat to Bangladesh, while imports from Bangladesh to Russia include ready-made garments and seafood. It's worth noting that in 2022, due to unfavorable international conditions, the volume of trade decreased by 21.4% to $2.35 billion. Measures to address this decline will be developed through the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation.
Another critical area of collaboration is in nuclear energy. The Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the first of its kind in Bangladesh's history, is being constructed as a Russian project located 160 kilometers from the capital, Dhaka. The Russian Foreign Ministry highlights that its commissioning, expected in 2024-2025, will mark a significant milestone in Bangladesh's energy development.
Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry recognizes the potential for increased cooperation in education. In the academic year 2023-2024, Bangladesh has been allocated 110 scholarships for its citizens to study in Russia, funded by the federal budget. This represents an important step towards fostering educational ties between the two nations.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS