BD’s interests given top priority
Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said that Bangladesh’s national interests were given the highest priority in the agreement to purchase aircraft from Boeing and rejected that the deal was imposed on Bangladesh during the PM’s visit to the United States.
Speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday after returning from the Prime Minister’s visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Amin said the Boeing purchase had been decided earlier on the basis of bilateral interests and was not a decision forced upon Bangladesh.
“The issue of purchasing aircraft from Boeing was not a decision imposed on anyone,” Amin said according to Facebook post of BNP Media Cell.
“A decision on this matter had already been taken on the basis of bilateral interests.
The Prime Minister was not present when the agreement was signed, but the agreement was signed through representatives of the two countries, giving the highest priority to the interests of Bangladesh,” he said.
His comments came as he described the Prime Minister’s UN visit as a significant diplomatic engagement in which Bangladesh’s sovereignty, national interests and future prospects were placed at the centre of discussions with international partners.
Amin said the visit involved 30 public engagements, including high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings, eight major UN events and seven speeches.
In a separate Facebook post, Mahdi Amin described the visit as “four days of serving Bangladesh on the world stage”.
He also said that the programme included 11 bilateral meetings aimed at deepening relations with countries around the world and 11 institutional engagements focused on advancing Bangladesh’s interests.
“A remarkable United Nations General Assembly for Bangladesh, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman carrying the nation’s voice with pride, confidence and dignity,” Amin wrote.
According to Amin, the Prime Minister’s schedule included discussions with the leadership of 11 countries.
He said Bangladesh’s sovereignty, national interests and the welfare of its people were prioritised in each bilateral discussion.
The Boeing agreement was therefore presented by the Prime Minister’s Office as part of a broader effort to pursue Bangladesh’s interests through bilateral engagement, rather than as an isolated commercial transaction.
Amin also pointed to a separate memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and the United States on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, which was signed during the visit.
He said the agreement was concluded at a separate sideline meeting without the Prime Minister’s presence.
The Boeing agreement and the nuclear cooperation memorandum were among several engagements that, according to Amin, demonstrated the government’s approach of pursuing practical cooperation while maintaining Bangladesh’s national interests.
The Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the UN visit was particularly significant because, after a long period, a head of government elected through the people’s vote represented Bangladesh on the world stage.
He said Tarique Rahman was received warmly by leaders and representatives from different countries and that the visit helped present Bangladesh at a higher level internationally.
Amin said the Prime Minister’s UN address covered a wide range of domestic and international issues, including education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, technology and artificial intelligence, as well as policies concerning young people and women.
He also said the Prime Minister used the international platform to call for global peace and reiterated Bangladesh’s position on Palestine.
According to Amin, Bangladesh demonstrated its position by walking out of the UN General Assembly hall when Israel’s Prime Minister began speaking following Tarique Rahman’s address.
The Rohingya crisis was another major issue during the visit. Amin said Bangladesh held productive discussions with ASEAN countries as well as international organisations working on human rights and displaced populations.
He said the countries and organisations involved expressed their commitment to supporting Bangladesh in addressing the crisis.
The spokesperson also said energy security was a key issue in discussions with leaders from Middle Eastern countries.
Talks focused on coordinated efforts and diplomatic engagement to address the current energy crisis, he said.
Amin said the government would draw inspiration from the UN visit to continue efforts towards making Bangladesh self-reliant, while maintaining peace, strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights and pursuing inclusive development.
He also described the Prime Minister’s seven speeches as “historic milestones” and said witnessing the visit from close quarters had been an “extraordinary privilege”.
Amin also addressed questions concerning a recent attack on a healthcare centre in Mirpur.
He said nine people had been arrested quickly following the incident and stressed that anyone using the name or identity of government figures or political organisations would face the law.
He said the government would investigate isolated incidents swiftly and take action against anyone violating the law or attempting to create instability.
The Prime Minister returned to Bangladesh on Sunday after completing his UNGA visit, accompanied by senior officials.
The airport briefing was attended by Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque.
