Perm. Rep. of Bangladesh to UN | Geneva & Ambassador to Switzerland (ex Envoy to India | the Netherlands | Bosnia & Herzegovina & Croatia | Sri Lanka)
Switzerland
Joined September 2019
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Last evening, signed off as 🇧🇩 High Commissioner to India.
Ended an eighteen month stint (April '25 - Oct '26), marked with times/episodes like hardly ever before (as most noted). Such were times that would fit into an examination of '#diplomacy in crisis' (without marked conflict). Yet, ...
It's mostly a solitary walk. On most occasions, 'briefs' or (previous) precedents would hardly suffice/suggest.
My limited experience merely asked me to keep walking regardless of what naysayers may say and populate the space, to touch #people and their mindscape. Just no grand scheme. Looking back, "there's no dull day", as @CSDR_India | @IndiasWorld_mag headlined (May '26).
This morning, feels like, I survived many intense episodes when I risked being mis-understood. For me as a diplomat, it's testing endurance | patience | composure yet being able to ask/plea all to hold on the shared space for 🇧🇩 🇮🇳 ordinary people, in shared interests.
Yes, its easier said than done. But, irrespective of views one is sovereign to, must pledge to, given the shared agro-ecology we belong to, forever tied to.
I thank scores of friends who quietly lend their shoulders (or may be, believed in my 'two cents').
@MEAIndia @bdhc_delhi
Thnx Shubhajit: it's an intense 2+ hrs with you | your colleagues at Express in my final days in #India. And, I survived all your googlies!
All the eighteen months in Delhi, tried to delve deeper, in shared interests😊, as all our earlier conversations may suffice.
#Bangladesh
Sharp and insightful.
Exclusive @IndianExpress
Enjoyed moderating the Idea Exchange session with Bangladesh's outgoing high commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah @hamidullah_riaz
Do read
indianexpress.com/article/id…
Over the ages, #Bangladesh has seen arrival of mystic minstrels, called '_Bauls_'. Generations have adored their timeless lyrics. Their voices keep nourishing people's mindscape in the largest delta with #music | rhythm.
Melodies soothe souls beyond borders. Their songs find new meaning over time.
Quietly yet firmly Bauls draw #people of all distinctions, celebrating syncretism.
Unleashing empathy, harmony, togetherness. In one indivisible frame. Invisibly.
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বাংলাদেশ তো শুধু নদীমাতৃক নয়, বাউলদের কণ্ঠে সুরে মেতে থাকা এই উর্বর ভূমি সুরমাতৃক।
গানমাতৃক।
এখানে তাই পথে পথে সুর ভেসে চলে, আপন আনন্দে গান এখানে খুঁজে নেয় আপন ঠিকানা।
গানের, সুরের এই প্রাণের দেশে আমরা মেতে উঠি একসাথে,
সম্প্রীতির এক তালে।
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सदियों से, #बांग्लादेश में 'बाउल' कहे जाने वाले रहस्यमयी गायकों का आगमन होता रहा है। पीढ़ियों से लोगों ने उनके सदाबहार गीतों को पसंद किया है। उनकी आवाज़ें संगीत और लय के ज़रिए दुनिया के सबसे बड़े डेल्टा में रहने वाले लोगों के मन को समृद्ध करती रही हैं।
उनकी धुनें सरहदों के पार भी रूह को सुकून देती हैं। समय के साथ उनके गीतों के नए अर्थ सामने आते हैं।
बाउल चुपचाप लेकिन मज़बूती से अलग-अलग पृष्ठभूमि के लोगों को एक साथ लाते हैं और मिली-जुली संस्कृति का जश्न मनाते हैं।
वे बिना दिखे ही सहानुभूति, सद्भाव और एकता का भाव जगाते हैं। एक अटूट बंधन में।
#India #culture
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This is the ninth/last in a series of animation conceptualised/produced by @bdhc_delhi over past one yr to underline pluralism and syncretism in Bangladesh, thanks to a group of young animators.
During the eighteen months' stint in #India as 🇧🇩 Envoy, tried to quietly steady and advance 🇧🇩🇮🇳 relations premised on mutual trust - dignity - shared benefits, to endure for a long haul, in 'shared interests'.
Not walking conventional paths of #diplomacy, trying to touch the chords with #people.
#Bangladesh @bdhc_delhi
Pleased to receive Bangladesh High Commissioner @hamidullah_riaz for a farewell call.
Appreciate his contribution and wish him all the best in future endeavours.
🇮🇳 🇧🇩
At @SabarmatiAshram | Ahmedabad (August '25), solemnly remembered the values, vision and works of #MahatmaGandhi ji.
#Bangladesh #India
#बांग्लादेश #महात्मागांधी जी को उनकी 157वीं जयंती पर पूरी तरह से याद करता है।
जिन मूल्यों को उन्होंने अपने पूरे जीवन में अपनाया और लड़ा, #भारत और बहुत आगे, सदाबहार रहते हैं; और भेद की परवाह किए बिना पीढ़ियों में #लोगों को प्रेरित करना जारी रखते हैं। समाज में समन्वयवाद की रक्षा करने में उनकी विरासत शांति - सद्भाव - सहिष्णुता के लिए अकेले महत्वपूर्ण बनी हुई है।
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#Bangladesh solemnly remembers #MahatmaGandhi ji on his 157th birth anniversary.
The values that he espoused and fought althrough his life, in #India and far beyond, remain evergreen; and continue to inspire #people across generations irrespective of distinctions. His approach to empathy was for #nature and #people alike. His legacy in defending syncretism across societies let alone for peace - harmony - tolerance remain crucial.
#GandhiJayanti #InternationalDayOfNonViolence
Ilish (ইলিশ) is more than a #fish to any #Bengali, anywhere. Regardless of the fact that it's the 'bonniest' yet a tastiest fish excites fish-lovers, in #Bangladesh & #India alike.
In #Delhi, seized the opportunity to present the maiden copy of a unique publication - A FISH CALLED ILISH - to Hon Lt Governor HE Sardar Taranjit Singh Sandhu, quietly underlining 🇧🇩🇮🇳 shared #Nature & culinary #heritage.
@LokNiwasDelhi @SandhuTaranjitS
A year back, this day, #Assam #India lost a gifted - humane 'son of the soil, #ZubeenGarg.
I had just an hr-long interaction with him, in #Guwahati. Candid, spontaneous. We connected, deeply.
Yes, it's not usual for a visiting Ambassador to reach out to a musician. Zubeen was unsure 'why' a diplomat was trying to meet him! I had to make efforts to get him agree to meet.
After I left him that night, was delighted that I could meet him: as much as we spoke about #music, he also shared his mind about empathy for #people | #nature.
I remember this day for I lost an unusual friend, one who also felt the rhythm of #Bangladesh.
I join millions, in silence, remembering my dear friend.
@zubeengarg1 @CMOfficeAssam @assamtribune_ @pratidinasomiya @AsomiyaPratidin
Iconic Sunil Gavaskar stepped into the world of #cricket when I was a toddler.
In Delhi, introduced by our mutual friend, Mr Peter T Hassan, I was struck by Mr Gavaskar's youthful charm, grace and candour. He indeed reminded a most graceful time in Cricket when he and his peers played the game with exceptional composure, much less for fame.
So many in #Bangladesh remember him fondly.
Few minutes of conversation this evening reminded me 'how' Sunny Gavaskar, at 77 now, leaves behind an unmatched legacy for the world let alone #India.
@BCCI @BCBtigers @bdhc_delhi
Millions in #Bangladesh grew up listening to his immortal creations.
When I first landed in #Assam (30 July '25), straightaway drove to his mausoleum, paid tribute to his memory and caught glimpse of his life | works.
His reflections | thoughts | words remain so contemporary.
#Music #films #India @CMOfficeAssam
ব্ৰহ্মপুত্ৰৰ চিৰনমস্য সুৰকাৰ-গীতিকবি জনলৈ শ্ৰদ্ধাৰ্ঘ্য
বাংলাদেশত প্ৰজন্মৰ পিছত প্ৰজন্মৰ বাবে ভাৰতৰত্ন ড° ভূপেন হাজৰিকাদেৱৰ (১৯২৬–২০১১) তেওঁৰ অমৰ সৃষ্টিৰ পংক্তি— “মানুহে মানুহৰ বাবে, যদিহে অকণো নাভাবে"—ৰ মাজেৰে চিৰজ্যোতিষ্মান হৈ আছে। ভূপেন হাজৰিকাদেৱে তেখেতৰ কালজয়ী গীতসমূহৰ জৰিয়তে সকলো শ্ৰোতাৰ মন-প্ৰান শিহৰীত কৰি তোলে; একে সময়তে শিলৰ দৰে কঠিন এই প্ৰশ্নও উত্থাপন কৰে—মানুহ হৈয়ো যদি মানুহৰ কাষত থিয় নহওঁ, তেনেহ'লে মানুহ হোৱাৰেই বা অৰ্থ কি ?
ভূপেন হাজৰিকাদেৱৰ মানৱতাবাদ কেৱল দয়াৰ নহয়, ই হৈছে সমমৰ্যাদাৰ। তেওঁৰ গীত- সৃষ্টীৰাজিত মানুহৰ অধিকাৰৰ কথা, আত্মমৰ্যদা আৰু সমতাৰ দাবী বাৰে বাৰে, ঘূৰি-ঘূৰি প্ৰতিধ্বনিত হৈছে।
তেওঁৰ সেই চিৰন্তন বাণী আৰু গীতে আজিও সীমাৰ ঊৰ্ধ্বলৈ উঠি আমাক আহ্বান জনায়—সহমৰ্মিতা, অন্তৰ্ভুক্তি আৰু মানৱতাৰ পথত আগুৱাই আহিবলৈ।
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ব্রহ্মপুত্রের কিংবদন্তি সুরকার-গীতিকবিকে শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি
বাংলাদেশে প্রজন্মের পর প্রজন্ম ধরে ভারতরত্ন ড. ভূপেন হাজারিকা (১৯২৬–২০১১) তাঁর অমর সৃষ্টির সেই পঙ্ক্তি—“ মানুষ মানুষের জন্যে, জীবন জীবনের জন্যে”— এর মধ্য দিয়ে চিরভাস্বর হয়ে আছেন।
ভূপেন হাজারিকা তাঁর কালজয়ী গানগুলোর মধ্য দিয়ে প্রতিটি শ্রোতার মন-প্রাণ শিহরিত করে তোলেন; একই সঙ্গে এ প্রশ্নও আমাদের সামনে তুলে ধরেন: মানুষ হয়েও যদি মানুষের পাশে না দাঁড়াই, তাহলে মানুষ হওয়ারই বা অর্থ কী?
ভূপেন হাজারিকার *মানবতাবাদ* কেবল দয়ার নয়, এটি *সমমর্যাদার মানবতাবাদ*।
তাঁর গান | সৃষ্টিরাজিতে মানুষের অধিকারের কথা, আত্মমর্যাদা এবং সমতার দাবি বারবার, ঘুরে-ফিরে প্রতিধ্বনিত হয়েছে।
তাঁর সেই চিরন্তন বাণী ও গান আজও সীমার ঊর্ধ্বে উঠে আমাদের আহ্বান জানায়—সহমর্মিতা, অন্তর্ভুক্তি ও মানবতার পথে এগিয়ে আসতে।
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Tribute to the 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚
Generations in #Bangladesh remember _Bharat Ratna_, Dr #BhupenHazarika (1926-2011) whose eternal words | songs continue to call for empathy - inclusion - humanity, beyond borders. A giant of a man, he stood up for 🇧🇩 #people during the War of Liberation in 1971.
#India #Assam #NorthEastIndia #music
@MEAIndia @BDMOFA @himantabiswa
Last Sunday (30 August), discovered dear 🇮🇳scholar | cultural revivalist friend Mahmood Farooqui (@Farooquiam) in striking shade as he launched THE TIHAR PLAYERS - A PRISON MEMOIR, at @IIC_Delhi.
I knew him as a champion of Dastangoi (an oral story-telling art form performed in #Urdu). Yet, employing his signature wit and deep sensibility, through the voices of some of his Tihar inmates, he brought to life a riveting account of the most disturbing part of his life i.e. a year in prison. The audience witnessed how Mahmood subtly pointed to the taboos, (mis)perceptions or ‘given’ across societies, beyond crimes and criminals.
Equally moving was the reflections of Naseeruddin Shah, especially the excerpts he read out from the Memoir.
@juggernautbooks @DastangoiTheArt @Chikisarkar
Aside nature, #JammuKashmir has long excited me for a people with distinct identities. So, landing in Srinagar (3 Sept), I straight headed for an insttn - DPS Srinagar - that Mr Vijay K Dhar founded painstakingly in 2003, under D P Dhar Memorial Trust.
He/family remain indelibly related to #Bangladesh, indeed for the valued role late Mr D P Dhar <dpdhar.com> played in the formation/early yrs of Bangladesh.
I was struck how Vijay ji & Kiran ji keep shaping DPS-SG as truly inclusive and scholastic: when a blind boy walks upto me with his astute observations, when students engage fearlessly debating contemporary issues, when school library | corridors-all-around sparkle with so much of joy-ideas-energy. A school also having a dedicated Badminton Academy. No less I was moved listening to School's Anthem! XII Grade RJ Fatima spontaneously engaged me in Radio DPS (India's first student-led online/digital radio station, running since 2019) studio. Conviction of the girls were particularly striking.
Holding | nurturing one's legacy in meaningful ways is easier said than done. Two hrs I and Sazia walked around the School and interacted, realised how strikingly challenging has been the journey to sustain a school with 5,000+ studentship in #Kashmir braving all odds. Being with them felt just rewarding, a lasting memory in Kashmir.
@dpssgr #India #people #culture
It's a delight to call on #JammuKashmir Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah and reflect on multifaceted interactions with 🇧🇩people. #Tourism and higher #education featured prominently, with much potential remaining to be tapped.
@JKNC_ @bdhc_delhi
#India #Bangladesh
Interview | 'First, restore flow of trade from Bangladesh': M. Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India (@hamidullah_riaz)
As India-Bangladesh ties navigate one of their most difficult phases, M. Riaz Hamidullah calls for greater mutual trust, wider societal engagement and the restoration of trade flows. He also speaks about the Teesta water-sharing issue, Bangladesh’s ties with China and Pakistan, connectivity with India’s northeast and the future of regional cooperation.
Writes Namrata Biji Ahuja (@nambiji )
Read: theweek.in/theweek/more/2026…
The new issue of THE WEEK is out now. Pick up your copy.
[India-Bangladesh Relations, M. Riaz Hamidullah, Bilateral Trade, Teesta, Bangladesh]
#Bangladesh🇧🇩 greets all 🇮🇳men-women-children in #India as they celebrate eightieth #IndependenceDay.
We solemnly remember the brave souls who laid their lives in the long Freedom Movement.
#Freedom #People #Youth #Tiranga
Last Sat (1 August), in a candid conversation with @DeccanChronicle 'team' in #Hyderabad, shared perspectives on certain issues impacting contemporary #Bangladesh - #India relations.
Also, how #SouthIndia merits to feature vis-a-vis mutually gainful 🇧🇩🇮🇳 economic engagements driven by #knowledge #education #technology.
@bdhc_delhi @bdhc_chennai @TheAsianAgeNews
An august interaction for a 🇧🇩Envoy to India with the leading #Telugu Daily @eenadulivenews at its den in Hyderabad, candidly reflecting with the editorial team over #Bangladesh-#India ties, the state of society-politics-economy, particularly impacting youth and peasants.
@eenadunet @etvteluguindia @TelanganaCMO #ramojifimcity
