BD keen on KSA, Turkiye, Pak Defence Pact: Humaiun

Newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday that a strategic framework for Bangladesh’s foreign policy had been established over the past six months and that the government would now begin rolling out engagements based on that foundation.

“Over the last six months, we have established a strategic framework for our foreign policy. It has a strong, solid foundation now,” 
Kobir said.

“It is not the first day of work as such. Work is about continuity,” he said, adding that the new assignment requires the government to “hit the ball… ground running”.

Kobir made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his first working day as state minister. He said the new responsibility was a continuation of the work he had been doing as the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs.

On Bangladesh’s interest in the “Makkah Joint Defence Pact” signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, Kobir said no formal progress or final decision had been made.

“We are expressing interest in the Makkah Defence Pact, I told you,” he said.

He said it would not be unusual for Bangladesh to join such a security pact if one were formed among Islamic countries.

“Bangladesh is now a country of recognition, and there is an interest,” Kobir said, adding that key stakeholders in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world were inviting Bangladesh’s leadership, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to participate in discussions and engagements.

Highlighting the importance of Makkah, he said, “Makkah is in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. If in the Middle East it happens that there is a security pact among Islamic nations, then we cannot not go there.”

Kobir said the government would now focus on putting substantive content into Bangladesh’s bilateral relationships and hoped to take the country’s “visibility, influence… to great new heights”.

“From that, now we will roll out our engagements. And we will… build our relations, bilateral relations, multilateral relations from a position of strength.”

Kobir said he was already familiar with senior officials at the foreign ministry, having worked with them over the past six months.

“The assignment is new, but it is an assignment that is an extension of further work in the sphere that I have already been working in,” he said.

Asked about reports and social media discussions concerning his British citizenship and whether he had renounced it before assuming the state ministerial position, Kobir responded sharply.

“I am Bangladeshi,” he said.

“Here, Bangladesh… Bangladeshi… I don’t think there is anybody that will question my Bangladeshism and my stand.”

Responding to questions about social media reports, he added, “I come with citizenship, and you talk about netizens! I mean, which netizens?”
Kobir said Bangladesh’s foreign policy had entered a new phase, with the government now focusing on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations and raising the country’s global visibility and influence.

He said Bangladesh should be recognised as a country with strong soft, medium and other forms of power and influence.

Kobir also referred to the political period involving Moeen U Ahmed and Fakhruddin Ahmed, asking whether “the heartburn of Moeen U Ahmed, and Fakhruddin” was “acting up again”.

He urged the media, citizens and political leaders to unite in the national interest.

“All people who take a strong stance for the country, patriotic people who are here, those who stand by the country �" all of us, including the media, the citizens, the political leaders, we will all unite and take this country forward, Insha’Allah,” he said.

He then urged reporters to focus on substantive issues related to his ministry.