Published : 23 Sep 2026, 03:09 PM
Updated : 23 Sep 2026, 03:09 PM
Bangladesh and Turkiye have discussed expanding defence cooperation and investment as part of a broader push for closer economic, political and strategic ties.
The issues came up during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York on Tuesday, according to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir.
The two leaders met at the Turkish House at United Nations Plaza on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Briefing reporters later at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Humaiun said Erdogan described Tarique as a “valued brother” and expressed interest in building a broader partnership with Bangladesh.
“He specifically said that the Turkish government wants to build a broad economic, political and strategic partnership with Bangladesh,” Humaiun said.
Defence and Investment
Kobir said the talks covered trade and investment as well as defence cooperation and investment in the defence sector.
The two sides also discussed coordinating their positions on issues concerning the Muslim world at international forums and working together on humanitarian issues, particularly the Rohingya crisis.
“It was a highly productive meeting, and the two leaders exchanged views in a very cordial atmosphere,” Kabir said.
“Both leaders emphasised establishing a special bilateral relationship in the future.”
Mahdi Amin, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, described the talks as “constructive, sincere and cordial”.
He said Erdogan congratulated Tarique on his election victory and invited him to visit Turkiye.
A Busy Day at UNGA
The Erdogan meeting was one of a series of engagements for Tarique on his first day at the General Assembly.
The prime minister attended 10 of 12 scheduled events in person, according to the briefing.
Tarique and his wife Zubaida Rahman began the day at a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before the prime minister attended the opening session of the General Assembly.
He also held meetings with the prime ministers of Bhutan and Haiti, the vice president of the Maldives, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy on Myanmar and the UN high commissioner for refugees.
Humaiun said Tarique’s meeting with the Bhutanese prime minister focused on strengthening economic ties and regional cooperation, including through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Talks with the Maldives vice president covered bilateral relations, manpower exports, trade and investment.
Mahdi said the meeting with Haiti’s prime minister included discussions on how Bangladesh’s experience in UN peacekeeping could be used amid the Caribbean country’s instability and law-and-order problems.
Rohingya Repatriation
Two of Tarique’s meetings focused on the Rohingya crisis.
His talks with the UN refugee agency and the UN secretary-general’s special envoy on Myanmar covered efforts towards the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
Mahdi said Tarique sought greater international support to resolve the crisis.
Bangladesh and The Gambia are also due to jointly host a high-level event on the Rohingya issue, according to the briefing.
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Irene Khan said Dhaka wanted to ensure the crisis did not slip off the international agenda.
“We do not want the refugee situation to be forgotten,” she said.
Irene said Bangladesh needed more funding to support the Rohingya living in camps and was seeking international help to find a solution that would allow them to return home safely.
Meta Weighs Dhaka Presence
The briefing also covered discussions with Meta over the possibility of the technology company establishing an office or focal point in Dhaka.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said the talks covered Meta’s operations in Bangladesh, cybersecurity, e-commerce and online businesses, as well as cooperation with educational institutions.
They also discussed ways Meta could help reduce digital harassment on social media while taking Bangladesh’s social context into account, she said.
According to Shama, Meta will consider the possibility of establishing an office in Dhaka.
