Saady Mohammad Saad, Dhaka.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to visit Dhaka on October 4, following his official trip to Pakistan. This visit, extended at the invitation of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, holds considerable importance in the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Prof. Yunus’ appointment as Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s caretaker administration, Anwar Ibrahim personally congratulated him during a phone call on August 13. During this exchange, Prof. Yunus extended a formal invitation, which was later confirmed through diplomatic channels, setting the stage for this historic visit.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, September 1, Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain highlighted the strong personal and professional rapport between the two leaders, referring to Anwar Ibrahim as a ‘close associate’ of Prof. Yunus. “Anwar Ibrahim’s distinguished political career and his close relationship with Prof. Yunus are well known,” Touhid remarked, noting that this will be the first official visit by a Malaysian prime minister to Bangladesh in nearly ten years.
Advisor Touhid underscored the significance of the visit for bilateral relations, describing it as the first visit by a head of government during the current administration. This milestone reflects renewed cooperation and is expected further to enhance the strong ties between the two nations.
The Malaysian Prime Minister will be accompanied by a 58-member delegation, including the Malaysian foreign minister and other senior officials, underscoring the importance of this diplomatic engagement. Upon arrival at Shahjalal International Airport, Anwar will be welcomed with full honors, signifying the significance of his visit.
During his stay, Anwar Ibrahim will engage in a series of high-level meetings, including bilateral talks with President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. A private meeting between Anwar and Yunus is also planned, emphasizing their longstanding relationship.
Foreign Advisor Touhid outlined the key areas of discussion, which will include economic collaboration, trade, investment, education, technology, and human resource development. Additionally, the export of manpower and defense cooperation will be key areas of focus, highlighting the depth and diversity of the partnership between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
The agenda will also address regional issues, particularly the Rohingya crisis. As Malaysia is set to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, discussions will explore Malaysia’s role in the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh’s aspiration to become a’sectoral dialogue partner’ within ASEAN will also be raised.
This visit, the first in nearly a decade, serves as a testament to the enduring friendship and growing cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Advisor Touhid expressed optimism that the visit would open new avenues for collaboration, fostering deeper ties across various sectors. As both countries navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Dhaka marks a significant moment in the history of Bangladesh-Malaysia relations, with mutual benefits in areas of shared strategic interest.
