ONLINE DESK: From June 7 to 9, Foreign Minister of the People`s Republic of Bangladesh Khalilur Rahman will be in Moscow on an official visit at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The previous contact between the heads of the two countries` foreign ministries took place in September 2023 during Sergey Lavrov`s working visit to Dhaka.
This is Khalilur Rahman`s first visit to Russia in his current capacity. He represents the new Government of Bangladesh, formed following the parliamentary elections in February of this year.
During the talks scheduled for June 8, the parties will discuss the status and prospects of Russia-Bangladesh cooperation, as well as current issues on the international and regional agendas.
The visit`s program also includes a meeting between the distinguished guest and the leadership of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation .
Dhaka is a long-standing partner of Moscow in South Asia. In 1972, our country was one of the first to recognize Bangladesh`s independence and provided it with significant political and economic support. Between 1972 and 1974, Soviet naval forces cleared mines from Bangladesh`s main port of Chittagong and its waters of sunken ships.
The political dialogue between our countries is developing steadily, regardless of the current political situation. Contacts are maintained, including at the high level. The most recent meeting was between Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation A.L. Overchuk and Chief Advisor of the Consultative Council (Interim Government) of Bangladesh M. Yunus on March 27, 2025, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia (Hainan Island, China). Mechanisms for consultation on political issues, as well as on combating international terrorism, have been established. In connection with the resumption of the Bangladesh Parliament in February of this year, contacts are planned between the highest legislative bodies. Constructive cooperation has been established within the UN, its specialized agencies, and other multilateral structures.
For several years in a row, bilateral trade has consistently exceeded $2 billion. Russia`s main exports are industrial equipment, mineral fertilizers, and wheat. Our country primarily imports ready-made clothing and seafood from Bangladesh. The Intergovernmental Russian-Bangladesh Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation is the primary mechanism for coordinating joint efforts to strengthen business ties. To date, it has held four meetings, the most recent being held on March 15, 2023, via videoconference.
The flagship of the bilateral partnership is the construction of Bangladesh`s first nuclear power plant, Rooppur. The first power unit was commissioned on April 28, and the second unit could also be launched this year. Once fully operational, the nuclear power plant will provide up to 10% of the country`s total electricity generation. Based on Russian technology, the foundation for Bangladesh`s nuclear industry has been laid, for which qualified national personnel have been trained.
Russian expertise in conventional energy is in high demand in Bangladesh. Between 2012 and 2023, Gazprom International Limited, a subsidiary of PJSC Gazprom, drilled and completed turnkey projects for approximately 20 wells in Bangladeshi gas fields.
There are also prospects for expanding cooperation in education. For the 2025-2026 academic year, 185 scholarships have been allocated to Bangladeshi citizens for the study of their nationals in Russia, financed by the federal budget.