MOSCOW, Monday, June 8, 2026 (WNP): Russia and Bangladesh have agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, science, technology and multilateral diplomacy, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman held extensive talks in Moscow during Rahman’s first foreign visit since his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Addressing a joint press conference following the talks, Lavrov warmly welcomed his Bangladeshi counterpart and congratulated him on his recent election to lead the UN General Assembly.

“We are pleased to welcome you and your delegation to Moscow immediately after your election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly,” Lavrov said, recalling that the two diplomats had previously worked together in the United Nations during the 1980s.

Lavrov noted that the visit marked the first ministerial-level meeting between the two countries since the formation of Bangladesh’s new government following parliamentary elections earlier this year.

Describing Bangladesh as one of Russia’s key partners in South Asia, Lavrov said bilateral relations are built on the principles of friendship, mutual assistance, non-interference in internal affairs and sovereign equality.

He highlighted the steady growth of economic relations, noting that Bangladesh is Russia’s second-largest trading partner in South Asia after India. According to Lavrov, bilateral trade has consistently remained above $2 billion in recent years despite fluctuations in global markets.

The Russian foreign minister said both sides agreed that significant opportunities exist to further expand trade and investment cooperation and emphasized the need to develop more reliable financial settlement mechanisms in light of what he described as external pressures on international economic relations.

The two countries also agreed to prepare for the fifth session of the Russia-Bangladesh Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, scheduled to take place later this year.

Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the largest infrastructure project currently under implementation in Bangladesh with Russian support.

Lavrov described the project as the flagship of bilateral cooperation and noted that the first unit of the plant achieved a major milestone with the physical start-up ceremony held on April 28. He added that Dr. Rahman would hold separate meetings with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and other senior Russian officials during his visit.

The Russian minister also revealed that leading Russian companies, including Rosatom, Sberbank, Lukoil, Rosneft, Gazprom International and Novatek, are interested in expanding their presence and investment activities in Bangladesh.

The two sides discussed strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, expanding contacts through friendship groups and reviewing the legal framework governing bilateral relations, with both countries agreeing to accelerate work on a number of pending agreements.

Lavrov said Russia appreciated Bangladesh’s balanced and objective position regarding developments in Ukraine and briefed his counterpart on the latest developments related to the conflict.

The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the consequences of recent U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran and their potential impact on global and regional energy security.

Another key topic of discussion was the Rohingya refugee crisis. Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position that a durable solution should be achieved through direct engagement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, while external actors should encourage dialogue rather than exacerbate tensions.

Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman thanked Lavrov and the Russian government for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

Rahman recalled the Soviet Union’s historic support for Bangladesh during its War of Independence and paid tribute to a Soviet serviceman who lost his life while helping clear mines from Bangladesh’s ports following the war.

“The Soviet Union was among the first countries to recognize Bangladesh. We fondly remember its contribution during our struggle for independence,” he said.

The Bangladeshi foreign minister welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation in energy, food security, agriculture, trade and economic development.

He described the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as a symbol of Bangladesh-Russia cooperation and expressed gratitude for Russia’s support in the successful loading of nuclear fuel into the reactor.

Rahman also thanked Russia for supporting his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and expressed his desire to work closely with Moscow during his tenure.

The two sides discussed opportunities to increase trade volumes, including prospects for enhanced engagement with the Eurasian Economic Union, and agreed to promote greater cooperation in science, technology, education and cultural exchanges.

Rahman said Bangladesh is keen to expand scholarship programmes, academic cooperation and people-to-people contacts, while also benefiting from Russia’s expertise in nuclear energy, space technology and innovation.

He also informed the Russian side that Bangladesh is ready to cooperate on issues related to the return of Bangladeshi nationals residing in Russia.

Concluding the talks, Rahman invited Lavrov to visit Bangladesh again following his previous trip to Dhaka in 2023, expressing confidence that the newly elected government and people of Bangladesh would warmly welcome him.

The visit underscored the growing strategic partnership between Moscow and Dhaka and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing cooperation in support of mutual prosperity, regional peace and international stability.