The Jatiya Sangsad has unanimously adopted a Motion of Thanks recognizing the “extraordinary success” of Prime Minister and Leader of the House Mr. Tarique Rahman’s official visits to Malaysia and China from 21 to 26 June.

The motion was introduced at the beginning of today’s parliamentary sitting by Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. It was subsequently put to a vote by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram and was adopted unanimously.

The Speaker stated that the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Malaysia and China had opened a new chapter in Bangladesh’s foreign policy. He noted that the visits would further strengthen the country’s independence, sovereignty, security, and economic development.

He also observed that the visits represented a significant step forward in advancing Bangladesh’s economic interests and had drawn international attention to the country’s security priorities. Recalling Bangladesh’s struggle for independence in 1971, he said the nation had endured many difficult periods and noted that previous governments had failed to take adequate initiatives to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

The Speaker further remarked that the Prime Minister’s visits had inspired confidence among the people, adding that citizens across the country were expressing their appreciation for the successful completion of the two state visits.

Presenting the motion, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that, as the head of a democratic government formed following a long movement against authoritarian rule, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visits were of great significance for Bangladesh. He said the visits had further strengthened relations with Malaysia and China while opening new avenues for bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests.

The Minister noted that 17 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) had been signed with China during the visit. He added that high-level discussions between the two countries had laid a positive foundation for deeper cooperation in economic development, investment, trade expansion, and efforts toward resolving the Rohingya crisis.

He further said that the Prime Minister had set a positive example in political culture by discontinuing the long-standing practice of lavish receptions upon departure for and return from official foreign visits.

Speaking during the discussion, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury described the Prime Minister’s visit as a practical reflection of Bangladesh’s independent foreign policy, founded on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, and strategic autonomy. He noted that important discussions had been held with Malaysia on labor migration, energy, trade, and investment, while talks with China focused on infrastructure development and improving the bilateral trade balance.

Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman, expressing his support for the motion, stated that the opposition would extend its full cooperation to the Government in implementing an independent foreign policy. He described Malaysia and China as long-standing friends of Bangladesh and added that presenting major international agreements before Parliament in the future would further strengthen transparency and accountability.

He also emphasized that Bangladesh’s international relations should continue to be guided by the highest national interests and conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality, while Parliament should remain at the center of all major affairs of the state.