Islamabad/Dhaka: Shortly after taking oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February, Tarique Rahman has already received official invitations from both Pakistan and India for foreign visits. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif extended the invitation through Federal Minister Ehsan Iqbal Chowdhury, who attended Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony as Sharif’s representative and congratulated him on his electoral victory. According to Ehsan Iqbal, Tarique Rahman has been invited to visit Islamabad on mutually agreed dates. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also invited the Bangladeshi PM to Delhi. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has not yet confirmed which country Tarique Rahman will visit first. Pakistan Seeks Closer Ties During the interim government le...

Dhaka: In a significant move to include minority representation in his government, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inducted two leaders from minority communities into his cabinet. Nitai Roy Chowdhury, a Hindu leader, and Dipen Diwan, from the Buddhist Chakma community, were sworn in as cabinet ministers on Tuesday. Both won their parliamentary seats on BNP tickets and are considered senior party leaders. Hindus constitute roughly 8% of Bangladesh’s 180 million population, making them the country’s largest religious minority. Nitai Roy Chowdhury: Culture Minister 77-year-old Nitai Roy Chowdhury, a lawyer by profession, represents West Magura and defeated a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate by a significant margin. A member of BNP’s Standing Committee, Chowdhury has previously ...

Dhaka: A new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape has begun with the formation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet on Tuesday. Among the notable appointments is Dr. Khalilur Rahman, former National Security Advisor under Muhammad Yunus, who has been named Foreign Minister despite not contesting elections or being a member of Parliament. Khalilur Rahman, a US-aligned figure, brings a potentially significant shift to Dhaka’s foreign policy and internal politics. His appointment is expected to intensify tensions with Army Chief Wakar-uz-Zaman, with whom Rahman has a longstanding rivalry. Khalil’s Influence in Yunus’ Interim Government During Muhammad Yunus’ interim administration, Khalilur Rahman wielded considerable influence as National Security Advisor and was regard...

Dhaka: Tarique Rahman has officially become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking the end of the political storm that began after July 2024. However, many analysts argue that Muhammad Yunus, former chief adviser of the interim government, is the real victor of Bangladesh’s recent political upheaval. Yunus, despite having no direct political power, skillfully aligned hardline right-wing parties like BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hifazat-e-Islam on key issues. He successfully brought most of these groups under a single umbrella, strategically neutralizing opposition to consolidate his influence. The 18-Month Political Campaign The political battle of the past 18 months, driven by Yunus, achieved several major outcomes: Facilitated the US-Bangladesh trade deal Strengthened mil...

Washington: Following the second round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran has not accepted the “red lines” set by former President Donald Trump. While Washington continues to emphasize diplomacy, Vance confirmed that the option of military action against Iran remains on the table. Vance Signals Dual Approach In his statement, Vance said, “The talks went reasonably well. The fact that they came to the table is a positive sign. However, many issues remain unresolved. President Trump clearly defined certain red lines, which the Iranian government has not agreed to follow or act upon.” He added, “We are prioritizing dialogue and will continue to work on it. The US President retains the authority to take stronger measures if the talks fai...

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Army has received a new batch of VT-5 light tanks from China, according to Bangladeshi media reports and regional defense observers. The VT-5 tanks are equipped with modern 105 mm ammunition and are designed to penetrate heavily armored targets. This delivery highlights the growing defense cooperation between Bangladesh and China, which has become the country’s primary defense supplier over the past decade. China has supplied Bangladesh with naval ships, aircraft, armored vehicles, and missile systems. VT-5: A Lightweight, Highly Mobile Tank The VT-5 is a light main battle tank developed primarily for export customers requiring armored mobility in challenging terrain. It is optimized for operations in areas where heavier tanks face logistical or mobility challen...

Washington: Amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva, the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East. Over 50 fighter jets, including F-22s, F-35s, and F-16s, have been deployed to the region, raising concerns about potential military action against Iran. According to an American official cited by Axios, independent flight-tracking data and military aviation monitors confirm dozens of fighter jets moving toward the area, accompanied by multiple aerial refueling tankers, suggesting preparations for continuous operations. Enhanced Military Presence The deployment underscores the scale and speed of the US military buildup. Alongside the jets, American naval assets, including aircraft carriers and guided-missile destroyers, have str...

Riyadh: The holy month of Ramadan has begun in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other Gulf countries. The crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday evening, marking Wednesday, 18 February, as the first day of fasting in these countries. Afghanistan will also observe the first day of Ramadan on Wednesday. India and Pakistan to Begin a Day Later In India and Pakistan, the crescent is generally sighted a day after Gulf countries. Accordingly, the first day of fasting in both countries will be Thursday, 19 February 2026. In Oman and Turkey, where the moon was not sighted on Tuesday, Ramadan will also begin on Thursday. Fasting Practices During Ramadan, Muslims begin their day with Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, and break their fast at Iftar, after sunset. Fasting involves abs...

Geneva: The second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran took place on Tuesday in Geneva, focusing exclusively on Iran’s nuclear program. The discussions were held indirectly, with Oman acting as the mediator. The meeting lasted nearly three hours, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as more positive and constructive compared to the first round. “The discussions with the United States took place in a highly productive environment,” Araghchi told Iranian television. Consensus on Guiding Principles Araghchi added that the two sides reached a consensus on the “guiding principles,” which will serve as the foundation for drafting a potential agreement. “This gives us a clear and positive path forward,” he said, emphasizing that while the ...

In a decisive military move, India forced Pakistan into a defensive stance during Operation Sindoor by striking the Kirana Hills. India fired two missiles at the strategic location, a blow that reportedly compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire. This revelation comes from renowned aerial warfare analyst and historian Tom Cooper, who has extensively studied the operation. Targeting Pakistan’s Strategic Facility According to Cooper, the Indian Air Force targeted Kirana Hills, which reportedly houses a secret underground nuclear facility where Pakistan stores several nuclear weapons. “There is ample evidence that India struck Kirana Hills during Operation Sindoor,” Cooper told NDTV. “Pakistanis themselves have released at least two videos on social media showing missile trails and imp...