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Bangladesh Election Marked as Key Step in Democratic Growth
The Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Abida Islam, has hailed the country’s recent national parliamentary election as a significant milestone in its democratic journey.
Speaking at a panel titled “Bangladesh Election: What Next?” on Tuesday, she highlighted that the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, remains committed to democracy, rule of law, and human rights while pursuing an inclusive vision for the nation.
The discussion, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, was held in a British Parliament committee room and chaired by MP Apsana Begum. The panel included Baroness Winterton, UK Trade Envoy for Bangladesh; Chietigj Bajpaee, Senior Research Fellow for South Asia at Chatham House; and Sohela Nazneen, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies. Prominent attendees included former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, MP Rupa Huq, journalists, and human rights advocates.
High Commissioner Abida Islam said the government is focused on reforms that improve citizens’ lives, noting alignments between the BNP’s election manifesto and the July Charter. She also outlined Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s vision for economic and social inclusion, including the “Family Card” initiative to promote women’s empowerment and social welfare.
On foreign policy, she emphasised the “Bangladesh First” approach, aimed at maintaining friendly international relations while protecting national sovereignty and interests.
Baroness Winterton congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his new role and expressed the UK’s eagerness to strengthen trade ties. She added that Bangladesh’s growth potential is best realised within a stable democratic environment and confirmed UK support in repatriating assets allegedly laundered from Bangladesh.
Chietigj Bajpaee noted that the BNP’s electoral victory had been widely expected given the political climate, reinforcing the importance of the election in the country’s democratic development.