Bangladesh-Russia Parliamentary Group seeks stronger ties through diplomacy

The Bangladesh-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group has formally begun its activities with a focus on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, expanding bilateral cooperation and promoting greater exchange of experience between lawmakers of the two countries.

A delegation of the friendship group paid a courtesy call on Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin in Dhaka on Thursday evening. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, parliamentary cooperation and issues of mutual interest, including collaboration in multilateral forums.

Chairman of the Bangladesh-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group, BNP Vice Chairman and former minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, MP, highlighted Russia's longstanding role as a development partner of Bangladesh, saying the relationship had evolved into a trusted partnership since the 1971 Liberation War.

He stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in agriculture, education, technology, nuclear science, food security and energy, while also calling for greater people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Altaf said Bangladesh's foreign policy has traditionally been guided by the principle of "Friendship to all, malice towards none". He expressed hope that parliamentary engagement involving a new generation of lawmakers would give Dhaka-Moscow relations fresh momentum.

Welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Khozin assured Russia's support for initiatives aimed at strengthening parliamentary relations. He said Moscow was ready to cooperate in positive efforts involving experience sharing and capacity building among lawmakers of the two countries.

The Russian envoy also expressed confidence that stronger parliamentary engagement would contribute to further developing existing economic, commercial and diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Russia.

Mia Sattar, president of the Russian Friendship Society with Bangladesh, said mutual interests and benefits should remain the foundation of sustainable bilateral relations. He underscored the importance of public diplomacy and social engagement in deepening ties between the peoples of Bangladesh and Russia.

He said the parliamentary friendship group, established on the basis of shared interests and mutual benefits, could play an important role in building greater trust and strengthening people-to-people relations.

The meeting was attended by MPs Khairul Kabir Khokon, Sayeed Al Noman, Saiful Alam, Atiqur Rahman Mujahid and Zeba Amin Khan. S M Mahbubul Alam, director general of the East Europe and CIS Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was also present.

During the meeting, it was also disclosed that a "Group of Deputies", led by a Muslim member of parliament, has been formed in Russia's State Duma to promote closer parliamentary ties with Bangladesh.

The initiative is expected to provide another platform for strengthening Bangladesh-Russia relations through parliamentary and public diplomacy.