Written by The Banking Post
Bangladesh and the Maldives have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding commercial and economic cooperation.
Dr Md Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh’s newly appointed High Commissioner to the Maldives, presented his Letter of Credence to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the Presidential Palace on October 5. Upon arrival, Dr Islam was welcomed with a guard of honour by the Maldives National Defence Force and a traditional Bodu Beru cultural parade.
During a brief meeting at the President’s Office, Dr Muizzu praised Bangladesh’s continued support in areas such as human resource development, higher education, healthcare, and economic cooperation. He highlighted the importance of enhancing people-to-people links and expressed optimism that bilateral trade and commercial engagements will expand further in the future.
High Commissioner Dr Islam thanked the Maldives for employing a large number of Bangladeshi migrant workers, noting their significant contributions to the economies of both countries. The two sides also discussed regional and international cooperation and explored ways for Bangladesh to assist in developing the Maldivian agriculture sector, along with potential collaboration in defence, education, and human resource development.
The meeting underscored the recent growth in transshipment through Maldivian ports from Bangladesh, signalling new avenues for trade and logistics partnerships. Dr Islam conveyed warm greetings from Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, and extended an invitation for President Muizzu to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.
Diplomatic relations between the two nations date back to September 22, 1974, and the presentation of credentials marks a renewed push to strengthen strategic, economic, and cultural ties.
Dr Md Nazmul Islam is a seasoned political scientist and diplomat, with extensive experience in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute. He previously served as Associate Professor and Head of Asia and Indo-Pacific Studies at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, and brings expertise in international relations theory and soft power strategies. His appointment is expected to provide a strategic boost to Bangladesh–Maldives relations, particularly in trade, education, and people-to-people engagement.
