Bangladesh-UK Relations

PID Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Hasina wants to rebuild Bangladesh-UK relations

Sheikh Hasina said, "Indeed, it is time to build a new relationship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. We need to change the way we look at partnerships."

The Prime Minister also called upon the international community to play an active role in repatriating Rohingya refugees to their homeland Myanmar, ensuring security and dignity. She added that the role of the United Kingdom in solving this problem is important.

She was speaking at a program titled "Bangladesh at 50: The Resilient Delta" at the Speaker's House State Room in Westminster, London on Wednesday.

Rushanara Ali, Member of Parliament, and Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Member of the House of Lords, welcomed the Prime Minister to Westminster. The Prime Minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at the time.

The Prime Minister said that in a real sense, the relations between the two countries should be strategic at present. In this case, their cooperation should be focused on peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, maritime and air transport security.

She said active Bangladeshi British immigrants must be at the center of the two countries' partnership.

"We are proud of our expats," she said. "I am delighted to see their growing representation in Westminster. Again, all of them are women. I firmly believe that many more of them will be elected to this diverse, great parliament."

Highlighting the Rohingya crisis, Sheikh Hasina said the role of the United Kingdom is important in finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis.

She added that Bangladesh has established stability in the region since August 2017 by resolving the crisis.

The Prime Minister said, "But the security challenge in Cox's Bazar is intensifying. These challenges could soon spread to the region and beyond."

She said the international community has a responsibility to ensure that the Rohingya return to Myanmar immediately, safely and with dignity.

The Prime Minister briefed on the unprecedented achievements and development of Bangladesh in various fields including economy, infrastructure development, power and energy and digitalisation.

She said the average growth rate of Bangladesh's economy is above 6 percent including 8.15 percent in 2018-19.

The Prime Minister further said that Bangladesh's GDP (gross domestic product) has increased from USD 243 billion in 2008 to USD 320 billion in 2021 and Bangladesh's economy is now 41st in the world in terms of GDP.