In an exclusive interview, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued a powerful statement from exile, declaring: "I want to return to my homeland." Addressing her planned December return to Dhaka, the 78-year-old leader stated that her decision is driven by a duty to stand alongside the people of Bangladesh amid an escalating political, economic, and security crisis.  

'I want to return to my homeland': Sheikh Hasina exclusive 

Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has raised questions over Dhaka's $2.3 billion deal to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets, even as her Awami League remains banned under the interim government's Anti-Terrorism Act. Hasina insisted her party still has a future and declared, "I have to return to my country, to my own people." She also linked Bangladesh's stability directly to its relationship with India.


Hasina questions Chinese fighter jet deal, says Bangladesh's stability linked to India

The Saudi-led Mecca Defence Pact is expanding its footprint. Bangladesh has said it's viewing the mutual-defence agreement — signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on August 7 — positively, after reportedly receiving an invitation from Riyadh. Pakistan says six to seven other Muslim-majority nations are also interested in joining. Meeting in Istanbul, top diplomats from the founding members agreed to work on a framework and establish a secretariat to coordinate activities under the pact, which treats an attack on any member as an attack on all.


Bangladesh considers joining Mecca defence pact, members agree to establish secretariat

Human rights organisations on Monday demanded that the Indian government take urgent diplomatic action against what they described as escalating persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, while calling for the release of four prominent minority-rights figures currently jailed or barred from receiving medical care.&nbsp;At a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club, representatives of the Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh (CAAMB), the All-India Refugee Front, Secular Mission and Human Rights Beyond Frontiers Foundation presented data documenting hundreds of attacks on religious minorities since the political upheaval of August 2024.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/doomsayers-doomed-india-s-gdp-grows-7-8-in-first-quarter-domestic-economy-gives-boost-amid-global-tensions-1788179210296">‘Doomsayers doomed’: India’s GDP grows 7.8% in first quarter, domestic economy gives boost amid global tensions</a>&nbsp;According to figures released by the groups, 66 members of religious minorities were killed in 2025 alone, alongside dozens of incidents involving vandalism of temples, land seizures and attacks on homes and businesses. In the first half of 2026, organisers said, 44 more minority-community members were killed in 40 separate incidents.&nbsp;The activists — Mohit Ray, Sujit Shikdar, Osman Mallik and Shantanu Singha — singled out the cases of four rights advocates they said were being targeted for their activism: journalist and filmmaker Shahriar Kabir, economist Dr. Abul Barkat, lawyer Rana Dasgupta, and monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/islam-superior-to-all-other-religions-says-karnataka-minister-basavaraj-rayareddy-bjp-demands-apology-1788123594820">‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology</a>&nbsp;Kabir, 76, has been imprisoned since September 2024 and now faces a murder charge before the International Crimes Tribunal despite deteriorating health, the groups said. Barkat, 72, was arrested in July 2025 and, though granted bail this June, still faces multiple pending cases. Dasgupta, 77, who has prostate cancer, has reportedly been unable to appear publicly for nearly two years, cutting him off from treatment. Organisers said he had been "pushed towards death due to the lack of medical treatment."&nbsp;Brahmachari, arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072">Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&amp;K</a>&nbsp;Rights activist Mohit Ray told reporters that Hindus in Bangladesh are "in danger" and that it is "quite distressing they can't even come to India."&nbsp;The groups called on New Delhi to summon Bangladesh's High Commissioner, issue a formal diplomatic note, and raise the matter with international human rights bodies, warning that inaction would be "humiliating for India" and damage its global standing. Organisers said they would forward their appeal directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release.

Human rights organisations on Monday demanded that the Indian government take urgent diplomatic action against what they described as escalating persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, while calling for the release of four prominent minority-rights figures currently jailed or barred from receiving medical care. At a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club, representatives of the Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh (CAAMB), the All-India Refugee Front, Secular Mission and Human Rights Beyond Frontiers Foundation presented data documenting hundreds of attacks on religious minorities since the political upheaval of August 2024. Also Read: ‘Doomsayers doomed’: India’s GDP grows 7.8% in first quarter, domestic economy gives boost amid global tensions According to figures released by the groups, 66 members of religious minorities were killed in 2025 alone, alongside dozens of incidents involving vandalism of temples, land seizures and attacks on homes and businesses. In the first half of 2026, organisers said, 44 more minority-community members were killed in 40 separate incidents. The activists — Mohit Ray, Sujit Shikdar, Osman Mallik and Shantanu Singha — singled out the cases of four rights advocates they said were being targeted for their activism: journalist and filmmaker Shahriar Kabir, economist Dr. Abul Barkat, lawyer Rana Dasgupta, and monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. Also Read: ‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology Kabir, 76, has been imprisoned since September 2024 and now faces a murder charge before the International Crimes Tribunal despite deteriorating health, the groups said. Barkat, 72, was arrested in July 2025 and, though granted bail this June, still faces multiple pending cases. Dasgupta, 77, who has prostate cancer, has reportedly been unable to appear publicly for nearly two years, cutting him off from treatment. Organisers said he had been "pushed towards death due to the lack of medical treatment." Brahmachari, arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release. Also Read: Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&K Rights activist Mohit Ray told reporters that Hindus in Bangladesh are "in danger" and that it is "quite distressing they can't even come to India." The groups called on New Delhi to summon Bangladesh's High Commissioner, issue a formal diplomatic note, and raise the matter with international human rights bodies, warning that inaction would be "humiliating for India" and damage its global standing. Organisers said they would forward their appeal directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari arrested in November 2024, was implicated in a lawyer's murder in Chattogram despite what organisers say is court evidence placing him in custody at the time. His ailing mother has reportedly appealed directly to Bangladesh's leadership for his release.

Activists urge India to intervene as Hindu persecution in Bangladesh continues, say rights leaders face ‘politically motivated’ cases

West Asia war may be thousands of kilometres away, but for Bangladeshis, the economic fallout is hitting much closer to home. The World Bank now warns the conflict could mean nearly 600,000 job losses, slower poverty reduction and higher prices, adding pressure to households already dealing with inflation.

Bangladesh: nearly 600,000 jobs could be lost due to the conflict

As part of a major push to modernise the Bangladesh Air Force and replace its aging fleet, Dhaka is moving forward with formal negotiations to acquire Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets. 

Valued at an estimated $2.3 billion for a multi-aircraft package—including training, technical support, and logistics—the proposed acquisition marks one of Bangladesh's largest defense deals. Government advisers have highlighted the strategic shift and cost-effectiveness of the 4.5-generation Chinese fighter, pointing to its regional profile following recent South Asian operational deployments.

Bangladesh seeks Chinese multi-role jet to modernise its air force

Bangladesh is seeking to modernise its air force with a Chinese multi-role fighter jet as it looks to strengthen its aerial capabilities. The move reflects Dhaka’s efforts to upgrade its defence equipment and expand its military aviation capabilities.


Bangladesh seeks Chinese multi-role jet to modernise its Air Force

As the Rohingya influx completes nine years and nnow enters its tenth year, Bangladesh has urged the international community to keep the pressure on Myanmar so that the refugees can be sent back. Bangladesh government and stakeholders said that the country cannot shoulder the burden of the protracted Rohingya crisis indefinitely on its own. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, attended the event titled “The Rohingya Exodus: Challenges and the Future of this Protracted Crisis”, jointly organised with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) in Cox’s Bazar. Siam opined that the international community must “sustain meaningful political and diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to create conditions for their safe and dignified return.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-urges-stronger-bimstec-security-cooperation-amid-rohingya-crisis-regional-threats-at-delhi-nsas-meet-1784271233757">Bangladesh urges stronger BIMSTEC security cooperation amid Rohingya crisis, regional threats at Delhi NSAs meet</a>&nbsp;The event was also attended by representatives from UN agencies, donor agencies, INGOs, NGOs, local representatives, Rohingya leaders and other humanitarian actors. The crisis demands an action-oriented and time-bound roadmap, developed through robust coordination among the government, UN, donors, humanitarian organisations and other relevant stakeholders, the speakers said. They said preparing the Rohingya population for eventual repatriation requires investment in education, skills development, vocational capacities and digital learning. A durable solution ultimately lies in a safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to their homeland, said the speakers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/around-126-000-rohingya-registered-with-unhcr-in-malaysia-1785474718626">Around 126,000 Rohingya registered with UNHCR in Malaysia</a>&nbsp;"We are from the government and the country... We are trying to keep the issue alive in international and regional forums. And the way we look forward to is to keep the diplomatic pressure on so that at some point they will be able to return", Siam told ANI. "The funding is decreasing, we all know that, but we are trying to gather more support for increased funding. And we are talking to our bilateral partners, our international partners, to increase the funding for the Rohingyas in the camps", Siam added.<h2>Rohingya Issue raised in Delhi</h2>Last month, Bangladesh called for deeper regional collaboration on security issues including the Rohingya refugee crisis at the fifth meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi. In a detailed country statement, Dr Shamsul Islam, Defence Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and head of the delegation, stressed that security and development in the Bay of Bengal region are “inseparable,” and highlighted the “prolonged crissis.” This prolonged crisis is an exceptional humanitarian issue," he said. He urged all BIMSTEC member states to collectively create conditions for the Rohingyas' return. The meeting, chaired by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, brought together security chiefs from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to address evolving non-traditional security challenges in the region.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam urged sustained international pressure on Myanmar for the safe, dignified return of Rohingya refugees, warning that Bangladesh cannot bear the protracted crisis alone as funding declines and camps face worsening humanitarian conditions.

As the Rohingya influx completes nine years and nnow enters its tenth year, Bangladesh has urged the international community to keep the pressure on Myanmar so that the refugees can be sent back. Bangladesh government and stakeholders said that the country cannot shoulder the burden of the protracted Rohingya crisis indefinitely on its own. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, attended the event titled “The Rohingya Exodus: Challenges and the Future of this Protracted Crisis”, jointly organised with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) in Cox’s Bazar. Siam opined that the international community must “sustain meaningful political and diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to create conditions for their safe and dignified return.” Also Read: Bangladesh urges stronger BIMSTEC security cooperation amid Rohingya crisis, regional threats at Delhi NSAs meet The event was also attended by representatives from UN agencies, donor agencies, INGOs, NGOs, local representatives, Rohingya leaders and other humanitarian actors. The crisis demands an action-oriented and time-bound roadmap, developed through robust coordination among the government, UN, donors, humanitarian organisations and other relevant stakeholders, the speakers said. They said preparing the Rohingya population for eventual repatriation requires investment in education, skills development, vocational capacities and digital learning. A durable solution ultimately lies in a safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to their homeland, said the speakers. Also Read: Around 126,000 Rohingya registered with UNHCR in Malaysia "We are from the government and the country... We are trying to keep the issue alive in international and regional forums. And the way we look forward to is to keep the diplomatic pressure on so that at some point they will be able to return", Siam told ANI. "The funding is decreasing, we all know that, but we are trying to gather more support for increased funding. And we are talking to our bilateral partners, our international partners, to increase the funding for the Rohingyas in the camps", Siam added. Rohingya Issue raised in Delhi Last month, Bangladesh called for deeper regional collaboration on security issues including the Rohingya refugee crisis at the fifth meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi. In a detailed country statement, Dr Shamsul Islam, Defence Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and head of the delegation, stressed that security and development in the Bay of Bengal region are “inseparable,” and highlighted the “prolonged crissis.” This prolonged crisis is an exceptional humanitarian issue," he said. He urged all BIMSTEC member states to collectively create conditions for the Rohingyas' return. The meeting, chaired by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, brought together security chiefs from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to address evolving non-traditional security challenges in the region.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam urged sustained international pressure on Myanmar for the safe, dignified return of Rohingya refugees, warning that Bangladesh cannot bear the protracted crisis alone as funding declines and camps face worsening humanitarian conditions.

'Keep the diplomatic pressure on': Bangladesh urges global pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya return as crisis enters 10th year

The possibility of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India next month for the BRICS Summit "remains slim" unless an appropriate environment based on "mutual trust" is created, along with a "dignified invitation" from New Delhi, his Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir has said.


India 'reviewing' request for Hasina's extradition

A retired schoolteacher, his wife, daughter and 12-year-old son were found dead in a locked house in Rangpur city late last night, in a case police say remains unexplained. The bodies were recovered at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday from a house in the Daspara (Machhuapara) area of the city.The deceased were identified as retired Zilla School teacher Ganapati Chakraborty, 65; his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50; their daughter Agami Chakraborty Prarthi, 23; and son Priyam Chakraborty, 12.&nbsp;<h2>How the bodies were found</h2>The bodies of the mother and daughter were recovered from the staircase, while the father's body was found on the roof. The body of his son was found under a bed, according to Subir Chowdhury, in-charge of Rangpur Metropolitan CID.<h2>Police response</h2>OC Nazmul Kader of Kotwali Police Station said police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Detective Branch (DB) had started an investigation into the incident, adding: "For now, we have recovered the bodies of four people. We have not yet been able to establish any details about the incident."&nbsp;<h2>Family reaction</h2>Soma Chakraborty, Ganapati's niece, said she had last spoken to her uncle on Thursday afternoon. Describing arriving at the scene, she said: "After receiving the news on Saturday night, I came here and saw his body. The bodies of my aunt, sister and brother were also lying there. My uncle had no enemies." She added that after retiring from school, he had started working as a homeopathic practitioner.&nbsp;<h2>Status of the investigation</h2>No cause of death, motive, or manner of death (murder, suicide, or otherwise) has been officially confirmed. The bodies have reportedly been sent for autopsy, and forensic and CID teams are examining the scene.&nbsp;

A retired schoolteacher, his wife, daughter and 12-year-old son were found dead inside their locked home in Bangladesh’s Rangpur city. Police and CID have launched an investigation, but the cause, motive and manner of death remain unknown. The bodies have been sent for autopsy.

A retired schoolteacher, his wife, daughter and 12-year-old son were found dead in a locked house in Rangpur city late last night, in a case police say remains unexplained. The bodies were recovered at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday from a house in the Daspara (Machhuapara) area of the city. The deceased were identified as retired Zilla School teacher Ganapati Chakraborty, 65; his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50; their daughter Agami Chakraborty Prarthi, 23; and son Priyam Chakraborty, 12. How the bodies were found The bodies of the mother and daughter were recovered from the staircase, while the father's body was found on the roof. The body of his son was found under a bed, according to Subir Chowdhury, in-charge of Rangpur Metropolitan CID. Police response OC Nazmul Kader of Kotwali Police Station said police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Detective Branch (DB) had started an investigation into the incident, adding: "For now, we have recovered the bodies of four people. We have not yet been able to establish any details about the incident." Family reaction Soma Chakraborty, Ganapati's niece, said she had last spoken to her uncle on Thursday afternoon. Describing arriving at the scene, she said: "After receiving the news on Saturday night, I came here and saw his body. The bodies of my aunt, sister and brother were also lying there. My uncle had no enemies." She added that after retiring from school, he had started working as a homeopathic practitioner. Status of the investigation No cause of death, motive, or manner of death (murder, suicide, or otherwise) has been officially confirmed. The bodies have reportedly been sent for autopsy, and forensic and CID teams are examining the scene.

A retired schoolteacher, his wife, daughter and 12-year-old son were found dead inside their locked home in Bangladesh’s Rangpur city. Police and CID have launched an investigation, but the cause, motive and manner of death remain unknown. The bodies have been sent for autopsy.

Retired teacher, wife and two children found dead in locked Bangladesh's Rangpur house

Four new ministers and two state ministers joined Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet on Friday evening, with their portfolios yet to be announced.

Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir administered their oaths at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

Bangladesh: six ministers sworn-in to Tarique Rahman's cabinet 

Bangladesh is weighing whether to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, as Dhaka reassesses its strategic and economic priorities amid shifting regional dynamics. Any decision, officials say, will be guided by Bangladesh’s national interests.

Egypt is also weighing whether to join a new defence pact focused on protecting Mecca, as regional countries explore stronger security cooperation. The move could have wider implications for Middle East defence ties and regional stability.

Mecca defence pact: Dhaka weighs defence framework

Bangladesh is weighing whether to join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, as Dhaka reassesses its strategic and economic priorities amid shifting regional dynamics. Any decision, officials say, will be guided by Bangladesh’s national interests.

Egypt is also weighing whether to join a new defence pact focused on protecting Mecca, as regional countries explore stronger security cooperation. The move could have wider implications for Middle East defence ties and regional stability.

Mecca defence pact: Dhaka weighs joining Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey pact

Mecca Defence Pact: Dhaka weighs pact amid changing regional dynamics 

Bangladesh has officially linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India to its demand for the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka stated that a "propitious environment" must be created by New Delhi before any high-level bilateral trip can move forward.

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman’s India visit in doubt amid Hasina extradition demand 

Bangladesh has a new President. Veteran BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected as the country's 23rd President after defeating his rival in the first contested presidential election in 35 years. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman personally congratulated Fakhrul after the result was announced. While the presidency is largely ceremonial, the victory is being seen as another major milestone for the BNP government, which returned to power earlier this year.


 Bangladesh gets new president after 35 years of contest, BNP scores major political win

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has officially launched a dedicated "Pink Bus" service across major cities, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Bogra, designed exclusively for female commuters. In a landmark move to enhance public transport safety and foster female economic empowerment, the initiative features buses operated entirely by female drivers and conductors.  


Pink bus service launched in Bangladesh capital; bus features female drivers & conductors

Bangladesh's opposition parties are mounting pressure on the ruling BNP government as it completes six months in office. Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party have accused the government of failing to tackle power and gas shortages, rising commodity prices and economic stagnation, while pointing to weak domestic investment and sluggish exports.

Opposition slams Bangladesh govt on energy, economic failures

Bangladesh has officially linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India to its demand for the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka stated that a "propitious environment" must be created by New Delhi before any high-level bilateral trip can move forward.


Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman’s India visit in doubt amid Hasina extradition demand

Bangladesh has officially linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India to its demand for the extradition of former Premier Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka stated that a "propitious environment" must be created by New Delhi before any high-level bilateral trip can move forward.

Bangladesh demands Sheikh Hasina's extradition before PM Tariq Rahman's India visit 

An uneasy calm gripped relations between Bangladesh and India following ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's virtual public address from New Delhi on August 5, 2026, marking the anniversary of the uprising that toppled her regime. Her vow to return to Bangladesh despite a death sentence sparked sharp diplomatic protests from Dhaka.


Dhaka: No dates finalised for PM Rahman's visit

Uneasy calm prevails after Sheik Hasina's August 5 address

Bangladesh's textile hubs of Savar and Ashulia are back in the security spotlight after a series of explosive recoveries raised concerns over the possible emergence of a new Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) network.


Bangladesh: 14 bombs & bomb making materials seized in Savar

Bangladesh's textile hubs of Savar and Ashulia are back in the security spotlight after a series of explosive recoveries raised concerns over the possible emergence of a new Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) network.

At least 16 explosives, including powerful pressure-cooker bombs and bomb-making materials, have reportedly been recovered from Savar and Ashulia over the past two weeks. Security agencies are investigating whether the recoveries could indicate the regrouping of a neo-JMB outfit.

The developments are particularly significant because Savar was previously linked to JMB's activities and gained international attention following the group's nationwide bombing campaign more than two decades ago.


Bangladesh: Several bombs & bomb making materials seized in Savar

Bangladesh has once again pulled forward the clock on its commercial life. As of Thursday, shops, markets and malls across the country must shutter by 8 p.m., an hour earlier than before, part of a widening set of emergency conservation rules meant to squeeze a few more megawatts out of a grid that simply does not have enough to go around. Hospitals, pharmacies and food vendors are spared. Nearly everyone else is not.&nbsp;It is a strikingly familiar scene. Only months ago, during the height of regional turmoil triggered by the Iran conflict, Dhaka ordered an even stricter curfew on commerce, forcing businesses closed by 6 p.m. That the country finds itself repeating the exercise says less about a single bad week and more about a structural vulnerability that a distant war keeps exposing.&nbsp;<h2>A crisis built on two points of failure</h2>&nbsp;The immediate trigger is mechanical rather than political. A fire last month at an LNG terminal operated by the American firm Excelerate Energy knocked out roughly half the country's import capacity; the facility only resumed partial operations this week. Around the same time, rough seas prevented at least two LNG carriers from offloading their cargo at Bangladesh's terminals, compounding the shortfall just as demand was already outrunning supply.&nbsp;The numbers tell the story starkly. The power sector needs more than a billion cubic feet of gas daily; it is currently receiving around 700 million. With national electricity demand near 18,000 megawatts against a supply capped closer to 13,000, the arithmetic of blackout was almost inevitable. Rural areas outside Dhaka have borne the brunt, with some regions reporting outages stretching eight to ten hours a day, worsened by an ongoing heatwave.&nbsp;<h2>When the grid fails, so does patience</h2>&nbsp;The human cost is visible in ways that go beyond inconvenience. Frustration has spilled into open confrontation in several districts, with reports of vandalism and arson targeting electricity infrastructure in areas including Saidpur, Nilphamari and Kushtia. Utility workers report being harassed, and in some cases threatened, while attempting to collect overdue bills. The Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association, which manages rural power cooperatives, has formally asked police to patrol substations and grid stations.&nbsp;The economic toll is just as tangible. Shrimp farmers, whose product makes Bangladesh the world's second-largest exporter of the crustacean, describe watching oxygen levels collapse in their ponds each time aerators lose power. The textile and garment sector, the backbone of the national economy, is similarly exposed to an unreliable grid. For an economy this dependent on continuous production cycles, prolonged load-shedding is not a nuisance; it is a direct threat to export competitiveness.&nbsp;<h2>The geopolitical undercurrent</h2>&nbsp;Bangladesh imports more than 90 percent of its oil and roughly 30 percent of its gas, a dependency that leaves its energy security hostage to global markets far beyond its control. The conflict centred on Iran rattled shipping routes, spiked fuel and LNG prices, and injected volatility into precisely the supply chains Dhaka relies on to keep the lights on. A country with thin domestic reserves and heavy import exposure has almost no buffer when that volatility hits.&nbsp;That exposure has pushed Bangladesh back toward an old, complicated relationship: its energy lifeline to India. The two countries are connected by the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, commissioned in 2017, under which New Delhi is committed to supplying 180,000 metric tonnes of diesel annually under a fifteen-year arrangement. Dhaka has now asked India to increase those flows, a request delivered directly to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi by Bangladesh's energy minister, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood. India has already shipped more than 30,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh since the spring, when the Iran-linked disruptions first began rippling through South Asian energy markets.&nbsp;This quiet cooperation is notable precisely because political relations between the two nations have been anything but smooth. New Delhi's decision to shelter former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after her 2024 ouster has remained a persistent irritant for the government of Tarique Rahman, and Hasina's recent public remarks from Delhi, her first since fleeing Dhaka, have only sharpened tensions. Energy interdependence, it seems, is proving more durable than diplomatic goodwill. Bangladesh needs India's diesel regardless of how it feels about India's guest.

Bangladesh imports more than 90 percent of its oil and roughly 30 percent of its gas, a dependency that leaves its energy security hostage to global markets far beyond its control. A country with thin domestic reserves and heavy import exposure has almost no buffer when that volatility hits.

Bangladesh has once again pulled forward the clock on its commercial life. As of Thursday, shops, markets and malls across the country must shutter by 8 p.m., an hour earlier than before, part of a widening set of emergency conservation rules meant to squeeze a few more megawatts out of a grid that simply does not have enough to go around. Hospitals, pharmacies and food vendors are spared. Nearly everyone else is not. It is a strikingly familiar scene. Only months ago, during the height of regional turmoil triggered by the Iran conflict, Dhaka ordered an even stricter curfew on commerce, forcing businesses closed by 6 p.m. That the country finds itself repeating the exercise says less about a single bad week and more about a structural vulnerability that a distant war keeps exposing. A crisis built on two points of failure The immediate trigger is mechanical rather than political. A fire last month at an LNG terminal operated by the American firm Excelerate Energy knocked out roughly half the country's import capacity; the facility only resumed partial operations this week. Around the same time, rough seas prevented at least two LNG carriers from offloading their cargo at Bangladesh's terminals, compounding the shortfall just as demand was already outrunning supply. The numbers tell the story starkly. The power sector needs more than a billion cubic feet of gas daily; it is currently receiving around 700 million. With national electricity demand near 18,000 megawatts against a supply capped closer to 13,000, the arithmetic of blackout was almost inevitable. Rural areas outside Dhaka have borne the brunt, with some regions reporting outages stretching eight to ten hours a day, worsened by an ongoing heatwave. When the grid fails, so does patience The human cost is visible in ways that go beyond inconvenience. Frustration has spilled into open confrontation in several districts, with reports of vandalism and arson targeting electricity infrastructure in areas including Saidpur, Nilphamari and Kushtia. Utility workers report being harassed, and in some cases threatened, while attempting to collect overdue bills. The Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association, which manages rural power cooperatives, has formally asked police to patrol substations and grid stations. The economic toll is just as tangible. Shrimp farmers, whose product makes Bangladesh the world's second-largest exporter of the crustacean, describe watching oxygen levels collapse in their ponds each time aerators lose power. The textile and garment sector, the backbone of the national economy, is similarly exposed to an unreliable grid. For an economy this dependent on continuous production cycles, prolonged load-shedding is not a nuisance; it is a direct threat to export competitiveness. The geopolitical undercurrent Bangladesh imports more than 90 percent of its oil and roughly 30 percent of its gas, a dependency that leaves its energy security hostage to global markets far beyond its control. The conflict centred on Iran rattled shipping routes, spiked fuel and LNG prices, and injected volatility into precisely the supply chains Dhaka relies on to keep the lights on. A country with thin domestic reserves and heavy import exposure has almost no buffer when that volatility hits. That exposure has pushed Bangladesh back toward an old, complicated relationship: its energy lifeline to India. The two countries are connected by the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, commissioned in 2017, under which New Delhi is committed to supplying 180,000 metric tonnes of diesel annually under a fifteen-year arrangement. Dhaka has now asked India to increase those flows, a request delivered directly to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi by Bangladesh's energy minister, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood. India has already shipped more than 30,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh since the spring, when the Iran-linked disruptions first began rippling through South Asian energy markets. This quiet cooperation is notable precisely because political relations between the two nations have been anything but smooth. New Delhi's decision to shelter former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after her 2024 ouster has remained a persistent irritant for the government of Tarique Rahman, and Hasina's recent public remarks from Delhi, her first since fleeing Dhaka, have only sharpened tensions. Energy interdependence, it seems, is proving more durable than diplomatic goodwill. Bangladesh needs India's diesel regardless of how it feels about India's guest.

Bangladesh imports more than 90 percent of its oil and roughly 30 percent of its gas, a dependency that leaves its energy security hostage to global markets far beyond its control. A country with thin domestic reserves and heavy import exposure has almost no buffer when that volatility hits.

Blackout diplomacy: How the Iran War left Bangladesh in the dark

Bangladesh is facing a severe energy crisis, and most parts of the country are reeling under long power outages that often stretch to 9-10 hours. In a bid to tackle the acute crisis, the government has directed shopping malls, shops, and markets to shut down by 8 pm to save electricity.&nbsp;Businesses, farmers, and industries are all suffering due to the power crunch. And in the hour of need, Bangladesh has again turned to India for help and sought additional diesel supplies to tide over the crisis.&nbsp;The power crisis is especially severe in rural areas outside the capital, Dhaka, with reports of 8-10 hours of outages.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-launches-multinational-drone-task-force-with-allies-in-middle-east-1786650707964">US launches multinational drone task force with allies in Middle East</a>&nbsp;The Tarique Rahman government on Wednesday ordered all shopping malls, markets, and shops to close by 8 pm. Trade fairs and cultural events have been told to wrap up by 8 pm, while decorative lighting has been barred.&nbsp;Bangladesh’s power demand is around 18,000 MW, but the supply lags at around 13,000 MW, a big shortfall.&nbsp;<h2>Residents attack power stations, officials</h2>&nbsp;The discomfort due to long outages and load-shedding has annoyed residents who attacked power stations in some areas.Incidents of vandalism and arson were reported from Saidpur, Nilphamari, and Kushtia, while power department officials were attacked during drives to collect outstanding electricity bills in some areas.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-could-prolong-war-until-trump-is-out-of-office-says-irgc-adviser-1786565790697">Iran could ‘prolong war’ until Trump is out of office, says IRGC adviser</a>&nbsp;The attacks forced the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association to seek police security for grids, substations and electricity offices.&nbsp;<h2>What precipitated the crisis?</h2>&nbsp;The present situation is mainly due to a shortage of fuel, particularly natural gas. Bangladesh imports over 90% of its oil and 30% of its gas.LNG supply dropped by half after a July 21 fire incident on a terminal owned by US company Excelerate Energy was shut down. Partial operations have resumed this week.Besides, two LNG vessels have not been able to offload at terminals due to rough weather at sea.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-attack-aramco-refinery-in-saudi-arabia-s-jizan-region-with-drones-1786643962330">Houthis attack Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Jizan region with drones</a>&nbsp;Bangladesh’s power sector requires more than 1 billion cubic feet of gas a day, but currently it has only 700 million cubic feet.&nbsp;In Khulna, locals complain of 9-10 hour outages, while supply shortfall also plagues Mymensingh, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Khulna, with three to five hours of load shedding a day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Businesses, shrimp farming hit hard</h2>&nbsp;The prolonged power cuts have hit business operations and farming. Farmers are using diesel generators and incurring extra fuel costs.Shrimp farmers complain that whenever the power goes out, the aerators stop working and oxygen levels in the water fall, putting shrimps at risk. Bangladesh is the second-largest exporter of shrimp.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/panama-canal-fees-surge-container-ship-shells-out-4-million-to-jump-queue-1786558494375">Panama Canal fees surge; container ship shells out $4 million to jump queue</a>&nbsp;The crisis is not for the first time. In April, all shops and shopping malls were ordered to be shut by 6 pm at the peak of the energy crisis during the Iran conflict.&nbsp;<h2>Bangladesh turns to India for help</h2>&nbsp;Bangladesh has again turned to India for help and requested for additional diesel supplies. Bangladesh energy minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood last week told reporters, “We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more.”&nbsp;The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, operationalised in 2017 during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, plays a vital role in ensuring Bangladesh’s energy security.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-gives-intelligence-services-broad-powers-amid-rising-hybrid-threats-security-lapses-1786548101127">Germany gives intelligence services broad powers amid rising threats, security lapses</a>&nbsp;As part of a 15-year agreement, India sends 1,80,000 metric tonnes of diesel annually to Dhaka.&nbsp;India has already sent over 30,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh in March and April during the Middle East turmoil despite ties between the two neighbours going through turbulence that started when Mohd Yunus became the interim leader.

The discomfort due to long outages has annoyed residents who attacked power stations. Incidents of vandalism and arson were reported from Saidpur, Nilphamari, and Kushtia, while power department officials were attacked during drives to collect outstanding electricity bills in some areas.

Bangladesh is facing a severe energy crisis, and most parts of the country are reeling under long power outages that often stretch to 9-10 hours. In a bid to tackle the acute crisis, the government has directed shopping malls, shops, and markets to shut down by 8 pm to save electricity. Businesses, farmers, and industries are all suffering due to the power crunch. And in the hour of need, Bangladesh has again turned to India for help and sought additional diesel supplies to tide over the crisis. The power crisis is especially severe in rural areas outside the capital, Dhaka, with reports of 8-10 hours of outages. Also Read: US launches multinational drone task force with allies in Middle East The Tarique Rahman government on Wednesday ordered all shopping malls, markets, and shops to close by 8 pm. Trade fairs and cultural events have been told to wrap up by 8 pm, while decorative lighting has been barred. Bangladesh’s power demand is around 18,000 MW, but the supply lags at around 13,000 MW, a big shortfall. Residents attack power stations, officials The discomfort due to long outages and load-shedding has annoyed residents who attacked power stations in some areas. Incidents of vandalism and arson were reported from Saidpur, Nilphamari, and Kushtia, while power department officials were attacked during drives to collect outstanding electricity bills in some areas. Also Read: Iran could ‘prolong war’ until Trump is out of office, says IRGC adviser The attacks forced the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association to seek police security for grids, substations and electricity offices. What precipitated the crisis? The present situation is mainly due to a shortage of fuel, particularly natural gas. Bangladesh imports over 90% of its oil and 30% of its gas. LNG supply dropped by half after a July 21 fire incident on a terminal owned by US company Excelerate Energy was shut down. Partial operations have resumed this week. Besides, two LNG vessels have not been able to offload at terminals due to rough weather at sea. Also Read: Houthis attack Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Jizan region with drones Bangladesh’s power sector requires more than 1 billion cubic feet of gas a day, but currently it has only 700 million cubic feet. In Khulna, locals complain of 9-10 hour outages, while supply shortfall also plagues Mymensingh, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Khulna, with three to five hours of load shedding a day. Businesses, shrimp farming hit hard The prolonged power cuts have hit business operations and farming. Farmers are using diesel generators and incurring extra fuel costs. Shrimp farmers complain that whenever the power goes out, the aerators stop working and oxygen levels in the water fall, putting shrimps at risk. Bangladesh is the second-largest exporter of shrimp. Also Read: Panama Canal fees surge; container ship shells out $4 million to jump queue The crisis is not for the first time. In April, all shops and shopping malls were ordered to be shut by 6 pm at the peak of the energy crisis during the Iran conflict. Bangladesh turns to India for help Bangladesh has again turned to India for help and requested for additional diesel supplies. Bangladesh energy minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood last week told reporters, “We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more.” The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, operationalised in 2017 during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, plays a vital role in ensuring Bangladesh’s energy security. Also Read: Germany gives intelligence services broad powers amid rising threats, security lapses As part of a 15-year agreement, India sends 1,80,000 metric tonnes of diesel annually to Dhaka. India has already sent over 30,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh in March and April during the Middle East turmoil despite ties between the two neighbours going through turbulence that started when Mohd Yunus became the interim leader.

The discomfort due to long outages has annoyed residents who attacked power stations. Incidents of vandalism and arson were reported from Saidpur, Nilphamari, and Kushtia, while power department officials were attacked during drives to collect outstanding electricity bills in some areas.

Bangladesh’s power crisis worsens, seeks help from India as long outages spark outrage

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to brief him on key diplomatic consultations held in Dhaka. Following high-level discussions with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Trivedi conveyed Dhaka's message focused on building a constructive, people-centric, and forward-looking bilateral framework.


India-Bangladesh ties: Dinesh Trivedi holds key meetings with PM Modi in India

Amid tensions in India-Bangladesh ties, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting came days after Dhaka expressed outrage over former PM Sheikh Hasina’s virtual press conference in Delhi.

India's high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi meets Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman

The Bangladesh government has officially ruled out any possibility of Shakib Al Hasan returning to international cricket. This decision follows his controversial virtual participation in a media event alongside ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.


Former star's New Delhi appearance draws backlash 

Bangladesh is set to hold elections for a new president on August 20, with the upcoming vote drawing attention amid major political developments in the country. The presidential election process, key candidates, and its impact on Bangladesh’s political landscape are being closely watched.

Bangladesh to hold elections for new president on August 20 

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Blackout diplomacy: How the Iran War left Bangladesh in the dark