FM Holds Bilateral Talks at OIC Meet

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman attends the Executive Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Palestine in Jeddah on Friday (27 February 2026).

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman held a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the Executive Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Palestine in Jeddah on 27 February, discussing issues of mutual interest and regional cooperation.

He met Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed A Elkhreiji, Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian and Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie, who chaired the meeting.

The visiting leaders congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on assuming office and expressed hope that Bangladesh would achieve political stability and faster development under his leadership. They also praised Bangladesh’s consistent support for the Palestinian cause and voiced backing for Dhaka’s bid to preside over the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In talks with Ishaq Dar, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral ties. The Pakistani minister conveyed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif looked forward to visiting Bangladesh.

During discussions with the Turkish deputy foreign minister, Rahman highlighted cooperation on the Rohingya issue and handed over an invitation to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Bangladesh after Ramadan. Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration across sectors.

Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Elkhreiji invited Rahman to Riyadh and expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would visit the Kingdom. He pointed to opportunities under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative and sought Bangladesh’s support for reform efforts within the OIC Secretariat. Rahman encouraged greater Saudi investment in Bangladesh.

In his meeting with the Palestinian foreign minister, Rahman reiterated Bangladesh’s support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinian side thanked Bangladesh for its longstanding backing and signalled support for its UNGA presidency bid.

Rahman also met Gambian Foreign Minister Njie and thanked The Gambia for supporting the Rohingya people, including its case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Both sides agreed to organise an event on the Rohingya issue during the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad in April.

Senior Bangladeshi officials, including the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs and the foreign secretary, were present at the meetings.