Bangladesh, Kuwait pledge stronger ties in first political talks

Bangladesh and Kuwait have pledged to elevate their long-standing friendship into a broader strategic partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation in areas such as defence, security, trade, energy, and disaster management during their first-ever Political Consultation held in Dhaka.

The meeting, co-chaired by Dr. Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, marked a milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.
According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday evening, the discussions were held in a “warm and cordial” atmosphere, reflecting the historic ties that began when Kuwait became one of the first Arab countries to recognize Bangladesh in 1973 and supported its inclusion in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) the following year.
During the talks, both sides agreed to boost cooperation in defence training, disaster response, cyber security, renewable energy, and manpower development. They also reviewed ongoing defence engagements and expressed intent to expand training exchanges between the armed forces and strengthen coordination in combating emerging security threats, including cybercrime.
The two nations committed to biennial political consultations, to be held alternately in Dhaka and Kuwait City, in order to institutionalize dialogue and ensure regular policy coordination.
Bangladesh and Kuwait also expressed satisfaction with ongoing infrastructure and development projects funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, noting its crucial role in supporting Bangladesh’s growth in transport, energy, and water management sectors. Both sides agreed to explore new cooperation in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, and civil aviation, aiming to enhance trade and tourism links between the two countries.
Dhaka expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s humanitarian support during the Rohingya refugee crisis, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration to facilitate the safe and voluntary repatriation of displaced Myanmar nationals.
The two countries also agreed to expand cultural and educational exchanges to foster greater people-to-people connectivity, including scholarships, student exchanges, and language training programs.
Reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateralism, Bangladesh and Kuwait vowed to continue working closely in regional and international platforms such as the United Nations, OIC, and the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly on global issues like climate change, sustainable development, and peacekeeping.
Officials from both sides described the consultation as “a significant step forward” in modernizing Bangladesh–Kuwait relations, underscoring the mutual desire to build a more dynamic and forward-looking partnership.