Dhaka, Tokyo to ink 8 MoUs as PM Hasina leaves for tri-nation trip on Tuesday

Bangladesh and Japan will sign eight MoUs on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrade, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties; defence cooperation, ICT and cyber security cooperation during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to Tokyo, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Monday.

"In the presence of the two prime ministers (Bangladesh and Japan), eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) are likely to be signed between the two countries," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in a briefing at the foreign ministry.

The Bangladesh premier is scheduled to leave on Tuesday on a 15-day official trip to Japan, United States, and United Kingdom. She will leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a special flight from Biman Bangladesh Airline at 7:45am and is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo at 5:00pm (local time).

Meanwhile, one day before the prime minister's tri-nation visit, Bangladesh on Monday released its 15-point Indo-Pacific Outlook (IPO).

The IPO envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam presented the IPO, which was prepared with 15-point objectives following four guiding principles.

Shahriar Alam said the IPO aims to ensure Bangladesh's long-term resilience and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific area.

The IPO includes objectives such as strengthening partnerships, promoting dialogue, maintaining maritime safety and security, and combating transnational organised crime. Other objectives include promoting sustainable development, building resilient value chains, and enhancing health security.

Most major powers in the Indo-Pacific, including the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, have already released their own Indo-Pacific plans.

Foreign Minister Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a courtesy call on Japan Emperor Naruhito on 26 April during her four-day stay in the country.

On the same day, she will hold a bilateral meeting with her Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida after the signing of the deals.

The meeting will conclude with a dinner at the residence of the Prime Minister of Japan, said the foreign minister.

During the visit to Japan, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also scheduled to attend an investment summit and a community reception.

She will also hand over the "Friends of Liberation War Honour" to four Japanese nationals for their contribution to Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, Momen said.

The foreign minister said that through this visit of the prime minister, the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan will rise to a new height. There will be an opportunity for discussions between the two countries to expand economic cooperation, trade and investment as well as upgrade to a strategic partnership, he added.

The prime minister will arrive in the United States from Tokyo to attend the ceremony, marking a 50-year partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank in Washington DC on 1 May.

Executives of the US-Bangladesh Business Council will meet with the Prime Minister on 2 May.

Later, US Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne P Clark will meet her. The prime minister will give an interview to the Economist. She will also meet Ajay Banga, the next president of the World Bank during her US trip.

On 4 May, the Bangladesh premier would leave Washington for London.

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will take place on 5-6 May. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been invited to the occasion.

The coronation ceremony is taking place in the British monarchy after 70 years. 130 heads of state or government have been invited. Sheikh Hasina will represent Bangladesh in the event.

The King and Queen's Consortium Reception will be held at Buckingham Palace on the afternoon of 5 May. On the same day, the Commonwealth Leaders' Forum hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General will be held at Marlborough House in the presence of the King. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will participate in these events.

Momen said that the Bangladesh premier will hold meetings with expatriate Bangladeshis during her UK visit.

Bangabandhu's youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana, the foreign minister, the agriculture minister, prime minister's private industry and investment adviser, the state minister for foreign affairs, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, the state minister for information and communication technology, and senior officials of the government will accompany the prime minister in Japan. Besides, a business delegation of 50 members is going to participate in the visit.

However, not all representatives from the Japan tour will be on the US and UK tours.

The prime minister will leave London for Dhaka on 8 May.

In response to a question, the foreign minister said Bangladesh is an ideal country for the World Bank. The World Bank is presenting Bangladesh as a role model for development, he said.

In response to another question, he said the Bangladesh government did not try to meet any representative of the US government during this tour.

In response to another question, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said there is no purchase of equipment in the agreement with Japan in the defence sector. The defence departments of the two countries will work together to develop technology and capabilities, he added.

Regarding the Bangladeshis staying in Sudan, he said there will be a Bangladeshi mission in Sudan. About 1,500 Bangladeshis are currently staying in Sudan, he noted, adding that everyone has been asked to be careful. Decisions will be taken later according to the situation, he maintained.