Tuvalu’s new government released a statement of priorities Wednesday, reiterating the Pacific island nation’s intent to maintain its "long-term and lasting special relationship" with Taiwan, while vowing to review a security pact that the previous administration signed with Australia in November. The announcement comes after some lawmakers hinted before last month’s parliamentary election that the new Tuvalu government might review the country’s ties with Taiwan. That kicked off weeks of speculation that the Pacific island nation might switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing. The new government "intends to reassess options that would strengthen and lift [its relationship with Taiwan] to a more durable, lasting and mutually beneficial relationship," the new government under Prime Minister Feleti Teo said in the statement shared by Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation Minister Simon Kofe on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Some analysts told VOA that Wednesday’s statement can be viewed as Tuvalu’s effort to push back against Beijing’s influence campaign. "This is a strong sign of Tuvalu's intent to thwart what I must assume are strong offers from Beijing," Timothy Rich, a professor of political science at Western Kentucky University, said in a written response. Other observers say the announcement, which is a welcome message to the United States and its democratic allies, can shore up Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic footprint in the Pacific region while serving as a temporary setback for China. "I see this development as a setback for Beijing as they were hoping to lure Tuvalu into their camp but China [still] has other mechanisms through which they can increase their influence [in the Pacific region,]" Parker Novak, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub told VOA by phone. Since Tuvalu’s new government highlights climate change and connectivity as important areas for development, some experts say Taiwan needs to consider how it can constructively contribute to Tuvalu’s priorities. "As China looks to woo countries that have ties with Taiwan onto its side, the Tuvalu government needs to demonstrate to the Tuvalu community that its relationship with Taiwan is delivering something for the people while it passes the potential benefits of a relationship with China," Mihai Sora, a research fellow in the Pacific Islands program at Lowy Institute in Australia, in a phone interview. He said Taiwan needs to consider how it can elevate its relationship with Tuvalu. "The ball is in Taiwan’s court to elevate the relationship with Tuvalu [as] the language [in the statement] indicates that Tuvalu is interested in upgrading its relationship with Taiwan and getting more out of it," Sora added. In response to the new Tuvalu government’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic ties, Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said Wednesday that it treasures the "special relationship" with Tuvalu and hopes to continue to work together with the Pacific island nation. While Taiwan and Tuvalu reaffirmed their bilateral relationship, Beijing emphasized that "upholding the One China principle," which designates Taiwan as a part of China, is "where global opinion trends." "A handful of countries who still have so-called ‘diplomatic ties’ with the Taiwan region should choose to stand on the right side of history and make the right decision that truly serves their fundamental and long-term interests," Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press conference on Monday. Three Pacific island nations have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China since 2019. Beijing has also increased efforts to deepen relations with regional countries, signing security deals with countries such as the Solomon Islands while promising a large amount of aid. To counter Beijing’s influence campaign, the United States and its allies have stepped up engagement with Pacific island nations, signing new agreements to deepen cooperation and increase support for regional countries. However, some of the efforts have been met with caution or stalled by domestic politics. In the Wednesday statement of priorities, the new Tuvalu government said while it supports the broad principles and objectives of the security and migration pact that the previous administration signed with Australia in November, it acknowledges "the absence of transparency and consultations" in informing the general public about the deal. The government vowed to address the "process issues." While analysts say the deal between Tuvalu and Australia will not be completely scrapped, the U.S. Congress has been unable to pass new funding packages for several Pacific island nations, forcing leaders from several countries to warn about Beijing’s attempt to seize the opportunity to shift their allegiances. Sora in Australia said the U.S. congressional failure to pass the aid package, the Compacts of Free Association, or COFA, agreement, hurts U.S. credibility as a reliable partner to Pacific island nations. "COFA is a core Pacific interest for the U.S. and if it can’t make that, how could it credibly expand its engagement and presence in the rest of the Pacific?" according to Sora. Rich from Western Kentucky University said failure by the U.S. and its allies to provide economic support to Pacific island nations, who rely heavily on foreign aid for their development, could give China an opportunity to present itself as an alternative. "My concern is that without aid, the Pacific islands have no choice but China, and China could use these relations [to increase its presence in the region,]" he said. Source: VOA News

The United States has reaffirmed its support for India's inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group ( NSG ) and is committed to continuing its engagement with like-minded partners to advance this goal. In the joint statement released by US and India, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the important role that nuclear energy plays in global decarbonisation efforts and affirmed nuclear energy as a necessary resource to address the climate, energy transition and energy security needs of the nations. The two leaders noted the ongoing discussion on developing next-generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode for the domestic market and export. "President Biden and Prime Minister Modi underscored the important role nuclear energy plays in global decarbonization efforts and affirmed nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet our nations' climate, energy transition, and energy security needs. The leaders noted ongoing negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India," the joint statement released by India and the US reads. It further said, "They welcomed intensified consultations between the US DOE (Department of Energy) and India's DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) for facilitating opportunities for WEC to develop a techno-commercial offer for the Kovvada nuclear project (in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam). "They also noted the ongoing discussion on developing next generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode for the domestic market as well as for export. The United States reaffirms its support for India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and commits to continue engagement with likeminded partners to advance this goal," the statement read. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of two sets of guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. According to the NSG's official statement, the NSG was created after the explosion of a nuclear device by a non-nuclear-weapon state in 1974. The NSG guidelines contain the so-called "Non-Proliferation Principle," adopted in 1994, whereby a supplier, notwithstanding other provisions in the NSG Guidelines, authorises a transfer only when satisfied that the transfer would not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The NSG guidelines are consistent with the various international legally binding instruments in the nuclear non-proliferation sector. Currently, there are 48 members in the Nuclear Suppliers Group which include - Argentina Cyprus, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, Spain Austria, Denmark, Japan, Poland, Sweden, Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Switzerland Belgium, Finland, Latvia, Romania, Turkey, Brazil, France, Lithuania, South Korea, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia, UK, Canada, Greece, Malta, Serbia, US, China, Hungary, Mexico, Slovakia, Croatia, Iceland, Netherlands and Slovenia.

India on Wednesday cleared its stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that "this isn't an era of war". Speaking at a special briefing on G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "India's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that 'This isn't an era of war'. Dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. The agenda is for the foreign ministers to discuss in the meet." He said the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be an important point of discussion when the foreign ministers from around the world meet during Thursday's Group of 20 (G20) gathering in New Delhi. "Given the developing situation of Russia-Ukraine, naturally, it'll be an important point of discussion during the Foreign Ministers' meeting. Foreign ministers will be focusing on the Russia-Ukraine situation, it'll be important to what they come out with, what understanding is developed," said Kwatra. He further added, "Issues of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the world, including economic impact and impact on development, will also be focused upon in the meeting." Kwatra said that G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting under India's G20 presidency will be held tomorrow. "This would be the second ministerial meeting held under our presidency. The venue will be Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center. 40 delegations expected to participate," he said. The G20 foreign ministers meeting is taking place days after a gathering of finance ministers and the Central Bank Governors of the G20 member countries in Bengaluru failed to come out with a joint communique over sharp differences between the Western powers and Russia-China combine over the Ukraine conflict. On whether a joint statement will be issued after the G20 Foreign Ministers meet, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said, "Can't prejudge the outcomes." "Ask the Russians, Chinese if they stand by Bali consensus, we stand by the declaration," said the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi. He said Russia and China opposed some para of Bali declaration, which was in the India chair statement/outcome after finance ministers' meet. Meanwhile, Kwatra further stated that sessions will "capture" issues of the global south, when asked how India will be the voice of global south at the G20 FMs meet. The foreign ministers are also likely to discuss ways to deal with falling economic growth, increasing inflation, lower demands for goods and services as well as increasing prices of food, fuel and fertilisers. During the Foreign Ministers meeting on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be chairing two sessions of the foreign ministries meeting. "First session will focus on multilateralism, and issues related to food and energy while the second session will focus on four or five key issues including new and emerging threats including counter-terrorism and narcotics, global skill mapping, focus on global talent pools," said the Foreign Secretary. Responding to a meeting between Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Kwatra said, "The External  Affairs minister is expected to be meeting all foreign ministers. Details to be shared once all the meetings are concluded." The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is scheduled to take place in physical format from 1-2 March, 2023 in New Delhi under India's presidency. Representatives of 40 countries, including non-G20 members invited by India, and multilateral organisations will attend. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the foreign ministers of the member countries of G20 and he will talk about India's growing influence globally.

India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Monday reaffirmed steadfast support for Indonesia during its G20 presidency. Amitabh Kant led an Indian delegation to the second G20 Sherpa meeting convened by Indonesia in Labuan Bajo on July 10-11. Kant reaffirmed India's steadfast support to Indonesia during its G20 presidency, outlined India's achievements and experiences and called for addressing global challenges in an inclusive, forward-looking and cooperative manner, said the Ministry of External Affairs press release. Indonesia's presidency began on December 1, 2021, and will end on November 30, 2022, after which India will assume the presidency. The first Sherpa meeting under the Indonesian G20 presidency was held on December 7-8, 2021. The G20 Sherpa meeting reviewed the progress made under various Working Groups of the G20 Sherpa Track. In his interventions in various sector-specific sessions (Health, Agriculture, Tourism, Digital Economy, Education, Employment, Trade-Investment-Industry, Energy, Environment & Climate, Development, Anti-Corruption and Empower), Amitabh Kant reaffirmed India's steadfast support to Indonesia, read the release. He emphasized the importance of all G20 members collectively addressing health, food and energy security challenges expeditiously, in an urgent, cooperative, non-politicized and equitable manner. Kant also spoke about the need to protect and promote the interests of small and marginal farmers, and to mainstream sustainability into the tourism sector. He highlighted the importance of data and digitalization for development, empowerment, financial inclusion, capacity building and sustainable job creation, added the release. On disaster risk, climate and environmental issues, he called for the development and climate discourse to be considered holistically, on an equal footing, to ensure just transitions. The Indian Sherpa highlighted the rapid strides made by India in scaling up renewable energy and reiterated India's COP 26 commitments. On migration issues, he emphasized the need to further deepen international engagement and facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration. Kant also held bilateral interactions on the sidelines with all his G20 counterparts, guest countries and participating international organizations. In these meetings, he shared India's thinking on global issues and our forthcoming G20 `presidency and discussed ways to further support the Indonesian Presidency to achieve its outcomes. Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant was appointed as India's new G20 Sherpa instead of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goel because he gave up his position and has been tasked with other pressing duties. Source: ANI  

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen has reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to achieve all targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 - "conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development". "To eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the government of Bangladesh declared an area totaling about 8.8% of its Exclusive Economic Zone as the Marine Protected Areas and implemented in its National Plan of Action in 2019," he said. The foreign minister made the remarks while delivering the Country’s statement at the plenary session of the 2nd UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon on Thursday. Foreign ministry's Maritime Affairs Unit secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md. Khurshed Alam, and Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Tarik Ahsan and other officials were the delegation members accompanying the Foreign Minister in the conference. During his statement, Momen said under the dynamic leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh settled the maritime boundary issues with both the neighbours and is poised to collaboratively utilize the resources. He attached importance to marine science for eradicating poverty, contributing to food security, conserving the world's marine environment and resources, helping to predict and respond to natural and anthropogenic events and promoting the sustainable development of the oceans and seas. Momen said Bangladesh government has amended "Bangladesh Ship Recycle Act 2018" and set a target of compliance of the Hong Kong Convention by 2023. Bangladesh also announced new actions aimed at ensuring safe ship recycling by 2023 and is the first amongst developing countries to take initiative to ban manufacture of single use plastic shopping bags, he added. Stressing the importance of capacity development and even distribution of scientific knowledge, he viewed those disparities in scientific capacity in terms of financial, technological, and human resources between developed and developing countries must be addressed for sustainable management of the ocean. He affirmed that Bangladesh is ready to cooperate in keeping with its capabilities to actively engage with the developed countries willing to transfer marine science and marine technology on fair and reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with the provisions of part XIV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Later, the foreign minister visited the permanent Shaheed Minar situated at a public park of Lisbon, named at Campo dos M rtires da P tria and paid his tribute to the language martyrs by placing floral wreaths. Momen arrived in Lisbon on Thursday on a two-day visit to Portugal to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the conference 2022. Source: BSS AH

Ahead of the two-plus-two dialogue with the US next week, India reaffirmed its commitment to economic relations with Russia saying the government is focusing on stabilizing these “established” ties in the current circumstances when Russia is facing international sanctions. The government also ruled out any international pressure on India to cut down trade ties with Russia as it said the two countries were working to finalize a payment mechanism that will allow them to carry out trade. While the US doesn’t want any “rapid acceleration” of Indian oil imports from Russia, the government has maintained India’s legitimate energy transactions should not be politicized.   Talks of sanctions going on but it’s not on entire trade. "A lot of trade is going on, trade of oil too. Our focus is to maintain and stabilise our established economic relations with Russia," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, adding India had been very open about its ties with Russia. The spokesperson was replying to queries related to statements by the US warning countries of consequences if they worked to circumvent US sanctions on Russia. The government said foreign minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the fourth India-US 2+2 dialogue on April 11. The Ukraine situation is likely to dominate the agenda for the dialogue. Jaishankar will separately meet his US counterpart Secretary Blinken and is also scheduled to meet senior members of the US administration.   Source: The Times of India

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) reiterated her vows to provide an improved and developed life to the countrymen through implementing the spirit and ideology of the War of Liberation.    "I am working towards a goal cherishing the pain of losing relatives. I have to implement the ideals with which my father had made the country independent. It's my promise. And, I will do it," she said.     The premier made this remarks at the outset of the meeting of National Economic Council (NEC) at NEC conference room in the city.     She joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.     The Prime Minister said her lone goal is to ensure socio-economic development of the country's people and improve their lives.    She added: "I want to make the people's life beautiful and dignified so they can be able to move with their head high in the world and this is what, the Father of the Nation always wanted and used to say."     Referring to the country's progress in the last 13 years, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh now attained the status of developing country.     "We will move forward as a developing country and also will be a developed one in the future," she said.     She continued that, "All I can say is that now none looks at Bangladesh with sympathy, rather looks withrespect."    The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of this eventful month including the historic speech on March 7, Bangabandhu's birthday on March 17  and Independence Day on March 26.     Mentioning that this month is very important as in this month Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time, was born, she said,  "Bangabandhu gave the nation freedom and self-dignity as an independent country."     Recalling the contribution of Bangabandhu in rebuilding the war-torn Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said following his footsteps, her government has taken plans and is implementing those accordingly.     "We are taking Bangladesh forward following his (Bangabandhu) ideals," she said.    She also highlighted that Bangladesh's economy is moving forward even in the time of Corona pandemic.     "We have been able to keep our economy afloat even during the global economic downturn in the period of Covid-19," she added.     In this connection, the premier also extended her gratitude to the people of Bangladesh for working sincerely even during this difficult time to attain  the success.  Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Saturday) urged the countrymen to obey the ongoing lockdown and health guidelines properly to stop further spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), reassuring all of bringing under vaccination and other required assistances. “We've announced a lockdown ... I call upon the countrymen to abide by the guidelines of the lockdown properly to protect yourselves  and others. Don’t let the coronavirus spread further,” she said in her valedictory speech as the Leader of the House in the 13th session (Budget Session) of the 11th Parliament. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury chaired the House. The Prime Minister said that the only way to check the spread of the Covid-19 is to wear masks, clean hands and maintain distance in such a way that none can be infected afresh with the lethal virus.   The Leader of the House reiterated her pledge to bring 80 percent of the people under vaccination free of cost as 4.50 million jabs of the US's Moderna, China's Sinopharm vaccines have already reached in Dhaka, while the processes of bringing more inoculates are going on as talks with the countries like China, Russia, the USA and Japan are underway. “We'll  bring more vaccines ... we'll purchase whatever is required and for that, we've allocated enough money in the budget. Taka 32,236 crore has been allotted in the budget to this end alongside earmarking Taka 10,000 crore separately which can also be used if required,” she said. Bangladesh has faced some difficulties regarding the vaccines for  time being, when India stopped export of the Covid-19 jabs as it has witnessed a massive surge in the pandemic, she said adding that problem with the vaccines is now over. The Prime Minister, however, said the coronavirus situation wouldn't have worsened in such a way had the people followed her call to celebrate the last Eid-ul-Fitr at their present locations, adding that the virus has spread at the district level due to disobeying the call and it is the reality. She said that her government has made Covid-19 test free across the country as it spreads in the districts. Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the Awami League, said that her party and its associate bodies alongside the government have tried their best to stand by the people in their hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister said that her government has given stimulus packages to various sectors and financial assistance to the people (during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic) to ease their lives and livelihoods alongside keeping the country’s economy moving. Mentioning that people of every profession and class have got government support, she said, “We'll again provide assistance with our maximum capacities as the coronavirus surfaces again ...we'll definitely look into the matter so that none can face difficulties in getting food.” The Prime Minister said some people are talking about reopening the schools, colleges and universities amid the pandemic, but the parents of the students are opposing it. She said that the government could not put the life of the students at risk by resuming classes of the educational institutions in the current situation of the pandemic. The Leader of the House said that the teachers have already been administered with the Covid-19 vaccine, while the students will also be inoculated following the guidelines of World Health Organisation (WHO) and then the educational institutions will be opened. Source: BSS AH

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has reiterated its policy of using non-lethal weapons on the Bangladesh-India border. The BSF made the assurance in response to the concerns expressed by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on border deaths. The BSF assured that all unarmed and innocent trespassers and victims of human trafficking will be handed over to BGB personnel.  The BSF suggestion to launch joint operations against trans cross-border smugglers upon receipt of specific intelligence on their criminal activities was welcomed by BGB. This was discussed at the Director General Level Talks of BGB and BSF held on September 16-19, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.  The 13-member Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) delegation, led by its Director General Md. Shafeenul Islam, participated in the talks.   A six-member Border Security Force (BSF) delegation, headed by its Director General Rakesh Asthana, visited Dhaka from 16-19 September 2020 to discuss various issues related to Bangladesh-India border management and security in the DGLT. During the discussions, both the border forces, BSF and BGB,  made several proposals to reduce the cross-border crimes and strengthen their security cooperation.  Proposals  BSF has launched a systematic campaign against the smuggling of codein based cough syrup in the bordering districts of India and will redouble efforts to reduce the cross-border drugs and narcotics smuggling.  The BGB appreciated the ongoing concerted efforts of BSF in substantially reducing the smuggling of narcotics. Both the border forces recognized the increasingly violent attacks on them by cross-border cattle smuggling gangs and agreed to exchange intelligence on smuggling syndicates and list of smugglers to make efforts to significantly reduce the smuggling in order to ensure the India-Bangladesh border remain peaceful and secure. Both the forces agreed that sharing of real-time intelligence is the key to reduce the cross-border crimes. BSF has proposed nominating officials in both the border forces as the nodal officials for exchanging such real time intelligence. The Director General, BSF has proposed initiating joint patrols in cattle smuggling /smuggling prone  areas to reduce the menace of all kinds of smuggling.  The BGB has welcomed the initiative and both the forces agreed that identification of vulnerable areas   needs to be in responsive to the new methods being adopted by the trans-border smuggling syndicates. Recognizing the difficulties in identifying the nationality of mentally challenged persons, BSF has proposed creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address such incidents on the border. BGB has suggested issuing daily passes for the people residing in the bordering villages so that they can visit their relatives on the Indian side.  BSF has welcomed the suggestion and both the forces agreed to work out a mechanism in consultation with agencies/Ministries concerned to facilitate such social visits. Reiterating the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, BGB has requested specific intelligence and proposed conducting joint operations against insurgent groups, if any. The onset of COVID pandemic has forced both the forces to stop coordinated patrols on the border.  Both the Director Generals agreed to resume these patrols on the border to build mutual confidence in both the forces and also to reduce the cross-border crimes. Both the border forces decided to continue their confidence-building measures and training programs  after the ongoing pandemic subsides. Responding to the request of BGB, BSF assured its cooperation in completing all riverbank protection works in the bordering areas of Bangladesh as per approval of Joint River Commission. Source: UNB AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed Bangladesh’s firm commitment to remain engaged with the United Nations (UN) in its efforts towards preventing conflict and establishing peace in the world. “Bangladesh always remains ready to contribute troops and police to respond to the call of the UN for strengthening world peace and stability,” she said when visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix paid a courtesy call on the premier at her Jatiya Sangsad office in the capital on Sunday evening. Reports BSS. After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh also remains prepared to support for enhancing the capability and readiness steps of the UN. “As per the UN’s request, we’re ready with ‘rapid deployment-battalion’ for MONUSCO, Democratic Republic of Congo,” she said. The prime minister underscored the implementation of the nine-point reform agenda for the UN peacekeeping operations presented by the UN Secretary General and assured Dhaka’s support in this regard. While talking about the Rohingya issue, the prime minister said Bangladesh’s policy is to maintain peace with all. In this connection, Sheikh Hasina pointed out Bangladesh’s foreign policy — friendship to all, malice to none — enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “Accordingly, we’ve opened a dialogue with Myanmar to solve the Rohingya crisis. Myanmar has agreed to take back their nationals from Bangladesh, but they didn’t act in this regard,” she said. The premier said the presence of nearly 11 lakh Rohingya people is creating a huge burden for Bangladesh and causing sufferings to the local people where they were given shelter. Sheikh Hasina said all — army, navy, air force, police, BGB, administration and volunteers — are working to mitigate the sufferings of the Rohingya people. At the meeting, the UN Under Secretary General highly praised the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers including the female troops and police in maintaining peace at UN missions in different parts of the world. Lacroix recalled that many Bangladeshi peacekeepers sacrificed their lives while they were on duty in establishing peace at the UN missions. He mentioned that Bangladesh is a key member regarding peacekeeping efforts under the umbrella of the world body. The UN Under Secretary General assured of continuing the UN support for further development of Bangladesh. About Rohingya issue, Lacroix highly praised the Bangladesh government for giving shelter to over one million Rohingyas who were forcibly displaced from their homeland of Rakhaine State of Myanmar following a military crackdown there since August last. Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present on the occasion. Lacroix, who arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit Sunday, is leading a five-member high-powered UN delegation to thank the troop-contributing country (Bangladesh) for their service and update them on the ongoing reforms in the peace and security area. AH