Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain confirmed on Thursday (8 January 2026) that Bangladesh has asked its three key diplomatic missions in India to keep their visa sections closed temporarily on security grounds. “What I have done is ask our three missions to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. It’s a security issue,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although he did not name the missions, diplomatic sources identified them as the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, and the Assistant High Commission in Agartala. Bangladesh also maintains missions in Mumbai and Chennai. On the safety of national cricketers, the Foreign Adviser expressed full support for Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, who on Wednesday confirmed that Bangladesh would not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He reiterated the country’s demand to relocate its matches to co-host Sri Lanka. Speaking after a meeting with directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Asif Nazrul said: “We have discussed the situation. The Bangladesh team played hard and qualified for the T20 World Cup. As a cricket-crazy nation, we certainly want to play—but not at the expense of national dignity or player safety.” “We will certainly play outside India,” Hossain added. Asked about the impact on bilateral relations, he acknowledged that while each diplomatic issue carries some negative consequences, Bangladesh will continue to protect its economic interests. On potential trade, he said business will continue where opportunities exist, such as sourcing rice at competitive prices. Regarding Bangladesh’s possible procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, Hossain said: “I cannot comment today. Talks are underway, and details will be shared once finalised.” On the US visa bond requirement, Hossain described the measure as “unfortunate but not abnormal,” noting that Bangladesh is among 38 countries now required to post bonds of up to US$15,000 when applying for US visas. “The decision is not unique to Bangladesh. Several countries facing immigration challenges have been included,” he said. Hossain stressed that the interim government has consistently opposed irregular migration, describing it as the only sustainable solution. He added that while migrants crossing the Mediterranean deserve sympathy, laws are being violated. According to the US Department of State, the new bond requirements for Bangladesh and other recently added countries will take effect on 21 January, following a phased expansion of the programme that began in August last year.

Most BNP and Jamaat candidates in Chattogram are relying heavily on borrowed and donated funds to finance their parliamentary campaigns, according to statements submitted to the Election Commission (EC). Relatives, supporters, and well-wishers are expected to contribute a significant portion of the money, highlighting the financial constraints faced by opposition candidates ahead of the 12 February polls. In Chattogram’s 16 constituencies, all but seven of the 17 BNP candidates reported that they will cover their election expenses using a combination of personal funds and money borrowed from or donated by relatives. Similarly, most of Jamaat’s 14 candidates indicated they will fund their campaigns with contributions from well-wishers and family members. The parliamentary election is scheduled for 12 February, alongside a referendum on implementing the July Charter. The EC is currently accepting appeals as part of the nomination scrutiny process. Following the announcement of the election schedule, candidates are required to submit a detailed statement of all projected expenses—from collecting nomination papers to polling day—within the prescribed legal limits. Political parties also have expenditure limits under the Representation of the People Order, which sets candidates’ spending at Tk 10 per voter. Among Chattogram constituencies, Chattogram-15, covering Lohagara and parts of Satkania, has the highest projected campaign spending. Voter numbers in the seat total 506,259, including 270,916 men and 235,343 women. Jamaat candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury plans to spend Tk 5.062 million, funded by Tk 1.06 million from personal earnings, Tk 2.4 million from brothers abroad, and Tk 1.6 million from well-wishers. BNP’s Nazmul Mostafa Amin expects to spend Tk 5.05 million, drawing Tk 1.5 million from his business, Tk 2 million from his wife’s gold, and Tk 1.56 million from his son. Sources of Election Funds Across Chattogram Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai): BNP’s Nurul Amin will spend Tk 3 million—Tk 1 million from his own funds, Tk 2 million borrowed from his son-in-law. Jamaat’s Saifur Rahman plans to spend Tk 1.5 million, mostly sourced from relatives and well-wishers. Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari): BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir plans a Tk 4.8 million campaign from personal savings and business income. Jamaat’s Mohammad Nurul Amin expects to spend Tk 2 million, funded by Tk 1.5 million from his wife and daughter, plus Tk 0.7 million in donations. Chattogram-3 (Sandwip): Jamaat’s Muhammad Alauddin Sikder estimates Tk 2.4 million, drawn from personal funds, relatives, and supporters. BNP’s Mostafa Kamal Pasha plans a Tk 1.5 million campaign entirely from savings. Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda & city wards 11–12): BNP’s Aslam Chowdhury will spend Tk 3.2 million from business and family contributions. Jamaat’s Md Anwar Siddique expects Tk 1.2 million from personal funds and supporters. Chattogram-5 & 6: BNP candidates plan campaigns ranging from Tk 2.5 to Tk 3.5 million, funded largely by personal savings, business, and family support. Jamaat has no candidate in Chattogram-5, while in Chattogram-6 their candidate plans a smaller campaign supplemented by donations. Overall, most candidates are heavily dependent on loans and contributions from relatives and supporters to finance their local election campaigns.

Global economic growth is forecast to decline to 2.7 percent in 2026 from 2.8 percent last year before increasing to 2.9 percent in 2027 - still down from the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 percent between 2010 and 2019, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday. The World Economic Situation and Prospects report said that while a sharp increase in US tariffs in 2025 created new trade tensions, the absence of broader escalation has helped limit disruptions to international commerce. "Despite the tariff shock, global economic activity proved resilient, supported by front-loaded shipments, inventory accumulation,and solid consumer spending amid monetary easing and broadly stable labor markets," according to the report by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. "Continued macroeconomic policy support is expected to cushion the impact of higher tariffs, but growth in trade and overall activity are likely to moderate in the near term," it said. US ECONOMIC GROWTH SEEN UP SLIGHTLY The report said economic growth in the United States slowed to 1.9 percent in 2025 - from 2.8 percent in 2024 - and was forecast to edge up to 2.0 percent in 2026 and 2.2 percent in 2027, aided by expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. It said inflation would likely remain above the 2 percent target in 2026, "though it should gradually moderate as tariff effects wane and housing costs stabilise." In China, the economy was projected to grow by 4.6 percent in 2026 and 4.5 percent in 2027, down from an estimated 4.9 percent expansion in 2025. "A temporary easing of trade tensions with the United States - including targeted tariff reductions and a one-year trade truce - has helped stabilise confidence, while policy support is expected to sustain domestic demand," the report said. Growth in the European Union was forecast at 1.3 percent in 2026 and 1.6 percent in 2027 - compared with 1.5 percent in 2025 - driven by resilient consumer spending. But higher US tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty are likely to weigh on exports, the report said. It said growth in South Asia was due to moderate to 5.6 percent in 2026, from 5.9 percent in 2025. It was forecast to return to 5.9 percent in 2027. "India, growth is estimated at 7.4 percent for 2025 and forecast at 6.6 percent for 2026 and 6.7 percent for 2027, supported by resilient consumption and strong public investment, which should largely offset the adverse impact of higher United States tariffs," the report said.