Dhaka, Moscow talks to eye on energy coop, bilateral ties
Foreign Minister and President-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dr Khalilur Rahman, is set to begin a three-day official visit to Russia on Sunday, with bilateral relations, energy cooperation and multilateral diplomacy expected to dominate discussions.
The visit, scheduled from 7 to 9 June, will be Dr Khalilur’s first overseas trip since his election as President of the UN General Assembly, a position he secured earlier this week following a secret-ballot vote at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Diplomatic sources said, the visit is being viewed as an important opportunity to strengthen Bangladesh-Russia relations at both bilateral and international levels.
Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir will accompany the foreign minister during the tour.
A key highlight of the visit will be Dr Khalilur’s bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on 8 June. He is also expected to hold discussions with other senior Russian officials.
Officials familiar with the agenda said energy cooperation will feature prominently in the talks, particularly the progress of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure project being implemented with Russian assistance.
Both sides are also expected to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation in the energy sector, increasing trade and strengthening broader economic ties.
Diplomatic sources said discussions may also cover challenges arising from international sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict and their implications for ongoing bilateral projects and economic cooperation.
Beyond bilateral matters, the two sides are expected to exchange views on sustainable development, reform of the United Nations system and coordination on key multilateral issues.
The talks are also likely to address ways of enhancing cooperation within international forums at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
In a statement issued ahead of the visit, the Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed Dr Khalilur’s election as President of the UN General Assembly and expressed readiness to work closely with him during his tenure.
The ministry said Moscow supports the president-elect’s commitment to advancing the interests of countries in the Global South and East, accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening the UN’s role in addressing global challenges.
It also described Dr Khalilur as an experienced diplomat with extensive expertise in international affairs and noted that his consensus-building approach would be valuable at a time when confidence in multilateral institutions is under pressure.
Following his election, Dr Khalilur said he was assuming the presidency of the General Assembly “with humility and respect” amid growing challenges facing the international system.
His presidency will coincide with several major developments at the United Nations, including the process of selecting a successor to António Guterres, whose term as Secretary-General ends on 31 December 2026.
Observers believe the Moscow visit will not only reinforce Bangladesh’s longstanding partnership with Russia but also help elevate Dhaka’s diplomatic profile ahead of Dr Khalilur’s assumption of one of the most influential positions within the UN system.
