- First official trip to the Kingdom expected after summer as Dhaka aims to deepen strategic, economic and diplomatic cooperation with Riyadh
DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has accepted an official invitation from Saudi Arabia to undertake his first state visit to the Kingdom, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, officials said on Monday.
Rahman on July 6, 2026
The invitation was delivered by Saudi Ambassador Abdullah bin Abiyah during a meeting with Prime Minister Rahman at the Cabinet Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.
Speaking after the meeting, Kabir said the Saudi envoy conveyed an invitation from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which the Bangladeshi premier warmly accepted.
“The ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conveyed the invitation from His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit Saudi Arabia. The prime minister has graciously accepted the invitation,” Kabir said.
He added that the exact schedule for the visit would be finalized later, with the trip expected to take place after the summer.
Kabir described the invitation as a milestone in Bangladesh-Saudi relations, emphasizing the Kingdom’s longstanding role as one of Dhaka’s closest partners in the Middle East.
“This is a significant moment for Bangladesh. Saudi Arabia has been a historic and trusted partner, and this visit will further elevate our bilateral relationship to a new level,” he said.
He noted that the close ties between the two nations date back to the presidency of the late Ziaur Rahman, who played a key role in establishing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia following Bangladesh’s independence in the 1970s.
The upcoming visit is expected to provide fresh momentum for cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labor, and regional affairs, while reinforcing the longstanding friendship between Dhaka and Riyadh.
Prime Minister Rahman’s administration assumed office after his Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s general election in February. The party was founded by former President Ziaur Rahman and later led for decades by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
BY: The Times Union
