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For years under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s opposition had little presence on the streets during elections, either boycotting polls or being sidelined by mass arrests of senior leaders. Now, ahead of Thursday’s vote, the roles have reversed, Reuters reported. 

Hasina’s Awami League is banned, but many young people who helped oust her government in a 2024 uprising say the upcoming vote will be the Muslim-majority nation's first competitive election since 2009, when she began a 15-year-rule.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely expected to win, although a coalition led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami is putting up a strong challenge. A new party driven by Gen-Z activists under the age of 30 has aligned with Jamaat after failing to translate its anti-Hasina street mobilisation into an electoral base, according to Reuters. 

Bangladesh will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup next month "under current conditions" and have requested their matches be moved elsewhere, the country's cricket board has said, BBC reported. 

Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League teamat the request of the Indian board amid growing tensions between the countries.

That led to an emergency meeting at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who now say they have "formally requested" the International Cricket Council (ICC) moves all Bangladesh's matches, according to BBC. 

Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma left for Dhaka, Bangladesh, last night to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia.

Sharma is paying his last respects on behalf of the government and the people of Nepal.

The Foreign Minister’s visit reflects Nepal’s deep respect for the late leader’s contributions to strengthening Nepal–Bangladesh relations during her three tenures as Prime Minister, said Foreign Ministry in a statement, adding that Minister Sharma would be accompanied by senior officials of the Foreign Ministry.

The Minister is scheduled to return home on January 1. 

Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after suffering from prolonged illness, BBC reported. 

Zia became Bangladesh's first female head of government in 1991 after leading her party to victory in the country's first democratic election in 20 years. 

Physicians had said on Monday said her condition was "extremely critical". She was put on life support, but it was not possible to provide multiple treatments at the same time given her age and overall poor health, they said, according to BBC. 

Amid continuing nationwide unrest in Bangladesh and mounting demands for resignation of the country’s Home Affairs Adviser following the killing of July uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi, another leader linked to the movement was shot on Monday (December 22, 2025), The Hindu reported. 

The shooting intensified fears of a widening cycle of political violence at a time when Bangladesh is already grappling with instability, protests, and uncertainty over the path to elections.

Motaleb Shikdar, a leader of the Jatiya Sramik Shakti, the labour wing affiliated with the National Citizen Party (NCP), which spearheaded the July uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, was shot in broad daylight in Khulna city, in a manner reminiscent of the attack on Hadi, according to The Hindu. 

Violence has erupted in Bangladesh following the death of a prominent leader of the youth movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BBC reported. 

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot by masked attackers while leaving a mosque in Dhaka last week and died of his injuries on Thursday while being treated in Singapore.

The shooting came a day after Bangladeshi authorities announced a date for the first elections since the uprising in 2024, which Hadi had been planning to contest as an independent candidate, according to BBC. 

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu celebrated Victory Day 2025 by organizing a special program at its premises on Tuesday.

The event that began at 10 am with the hoisting of the national flag and the playing of the national anthem was followed by a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. Special prayers were offered for the martyrs of the Liberation War and those who lost their lives during the July–August mass uprising in 2024. Messages from the President, the Chief Adviser, and the Adviser for Foreign Affairs highlighting the significance of the day were also read.

The program was further enriched by the performance of the students of Kathmandu art school and by a musical performance from Saraswati Khatri of Nepal’s Sur Sudha Music Group, who sang a selection of Bangla and Nepali songs.

During the event, SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar emphasized the importance of Victory Day and called on the audience to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War. He highlighted the need to work collectively to seize the opportunities created by the July–August mass uprising to build a discrimination-free and inclusive Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md. Shafiqur Rahman delivered the closing remarks, paying tribute to the martyrs and wounded freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War and honoring the martyrs of the July uprising. 

He said the July uprising added a new dimension to the nation’s journey, advancing the unfinished goals of the Liberation War and paving the way for a fair, just, corruption-free, and inclusive “Bangladesh 2.0,” as envisioned by the freedom fighters.

The program was attended by Bangladeshi officials serving at the SAARC Secretariat, expatriates in regional organizations in Nepal, officials from Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ Nepal Office, members of the Bangladeshi community, and distinguished Nepali personalities and business leaders. Adding to the festive atmosphere, players and officials of the visiting Bangladeshi women’s football club, Nasrin Sports Academy, also participated in the celebrations.

Bangladesh wasn’t a destination most people expected me to visit. When I told friends and colleagues about my plan, many asked, “Why go to Bangladesh for tourism?” Even the visa officer at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu, the immigration officer in Dhaka, and several locals repeated the same question with surprised smiles. But I had a simple answer: Nepal has mountains, rivers and hills—but no sea. I went for the beaches.

Dhaka was my first stop, and the city hit me with its pace. Compared to Nepal, the Bangladeshi capital has undergone rapid infrastructure expansion—wide roads, long flyovers, fast tracks and a functioning metro system carve through the city. But alongside this impressive development comes the other reality: almost no discipline in traffic. Vehicles rush from every direction, rules appear optional, and crossing the street feels like a test of courage.

Bangladesh, with an area of roughly 148,000 sq km, is only slightly larger than Nepal’s 147,516 sq km, but its population—over 170m—overshadows Nepal’s nearly 30m. It is a country overflowing with people. The crowds are constant, and everywhere feels busy.

After Dhaka, my main destination was Cox’s Bazar—the world’s longest natural sandy beach. This was the part of the journey I was truly looking forward to. The sea breeze, the endless shoreline and the rhythmic sound of the waves were exactly what I had hoped for. I explored both commercial beaches filled with local visitors and quieter, more untouched stretches of sand. It was fun, refreshing and unlike anything Nepal can offer.

What surprised me, though, was the absence of foreign tourists. The beaches were lively, but almost entirely with domestic travelers. Despite that, people were warm, curious and welcoming everywhere we went.

According to the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), Bangladesh received around 655,000 foreign tourists in 2024. But the local media reports that many of the foreign arrivals recorded by BTB are not leisure tourists but include business travellers and non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs).

Back in Dhaka, I visited the area around Dhaka University. The walls were painted with murals—powerful images connected to past protests and political movements. Yet the atmosphere was peaceful, with students walking, chatting and enjoying the campus surroundings.

My week in Bangladesh was a mix of contrasts: infrastructure growth and traffic chaos, overwhelming crowds and serene beaches, political expressions on walls and calm in the streets. It was unexpected, eye-opening and memorable—a reminder that sometimes the best trips are the ones others question.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu hosted the Bangladesh Fish Festival at its premises on Friday.

Acting Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, attended the program as the Guest of Honor.

The event opened with the playing of the national anthems of Nepal and Bangladesh and welcome speech by the Ambassador.

In his address, Acting Foreign Secretary of Nepal commended the initiative as an innovative one, noting that such events strengthen cultural bridges and contribute to enhancing economic, trade, and people-to-people ties between Nepal and Bangladesh, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Bangladesh on Kathmandu.

He mentioned that the bilateral collaboration between Nepal and Bangladesh is moving towards deeper engagements through increasing people-to- people contact, trade and transit and energy and investment.  It has further prospects for expanding cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture and food security between the two friendly nations.

Ambassador Md Shafiqur Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s rich and traditional fisheries sector, terming the festival as Bangladesh’s riverine heritage, where fish has long been a symbol of our culture, livelihood, social fabric and national identity, according to the statement.

He attributed this historical tradition and heritage to the country’s unique geography and topography endowed with a thousand of rivers producing a wide variety of freshwater and sea fish.

Referring to the global fame of Bangladeshi cuisine/ fishes for their taste, freshness, and delicacy, he pointed to the specialty of the rapidly growing fisheries sector with production of freshwater (inland open-water) fish, aquaculture, marine fish, and crustacean. He noted that the festival serves not only as a cultural celebration but also as an opportunity to deepen regional cooperation and expand business partnerships.

The Ambassador expressed his pleasure in organizing this showcase of Bangladeshi fisheries in the Himalayas and labeled Nepal-Bangladesh friendship with Maach-Daal-Vaat combining Bangladesh’s popular saying “মাছে ভাতে বাঙালি and Nepali Daal-Vaat.

It is for the first time Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu organized such a showcase event promoting Bangladeshi variety of fishes to the global community.

Ambassadors/Heads of Missions and diplomats based in Kathmandu, senior officials from various Ministries of the Government of Nepal, business leaders, members of Think Tanks and civil society, managers and executives of the luxury hotels and members of the media among others attended the program.

Hundreds of GenZ youths filled the busiest streets of Nepal’s capital city—Maitighar and New Baneshwor on Sept 8. It was the burst of frustration with the government’s malpractice—corruption, lack of accountability and transparency, ban on social media resulting in encroachment of the freedom of speech and the rising “nepo-baby” trend on social media that showcased contrasting images of the lavish lifestyles of political leaders’ children comparing to the daily struggles of ordinary Nepalis who shed their skin and bones in foreign lands just to sustain their families. 

What began as a peaceful protest quickly turned violent after the police forces opened fire claiming 76 innocent lives. The aftermath of the massacre left the nation in shock. 

The following day, government and private properties were destroyed, set ablaze and ultimately forced the then Prime Minister KP Oli to step down. For a country already mired from political instability, it felt like watching a tower of Jenga collapse. 

Just a year before Nepal’s September revolution, a similar GenZ youths uprising, called the July Revolution took place in Bangladesh. Thousands of students and youth activists took to the streets, demanding an end to decades of “political corruption” and “authoritarian regime”. The movement grew rapidly throughout the country after violent clashes between protesters and security forces, leading to a nationwide wave of demonstrations that eventually forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country, marking a major turning point in Bangladesh’s political history. 

As a matter of fact, these two movements, led primarily by GenZ youths, marked a historic turning point for both nations shaping their modern political landscapes. Nepal saw the rise of its first woman Prime Minister, while Bangladesh’s long-serving female leader was forced into exile. The July Revolution in Bangladesh is now more than a year-old story, while Nepal’s September Revolution is still only two- or three-months in. Bangladesh is still struggling to rebuild its governance and restore public trust, and Nepal now stands at a similar crossroads. 

So, what kind of future lies for Nepal?

Constitutional crisis in Bangladesh 

In Bangladesh, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, Chief of Army Staff General Waker- uz-Zaman and President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the formation of an interim government to stabilize the political situation. 

Invoking the emergency provision under Article 72(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, Nobel Laureate in Economics, Professor Muhammad Yunus, sworn in as the chief advisor to the Interim Government. However, the formation of the Interim Government led to a constitutional crisis. However, this triggered a constitutional crisis. 

Many critics argued that the appointment of a non-elected prime minister violated Article 56(1), which states that the prime minister must be a Member of Parliament. Several writs were filed, but the Supreme Court of Bangladesh quashed the writs, citing an Interim Government could be formed in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution.  

Despite this, opposition groups have continued to resist the government adding on to the nation’s political instability. While Professor Yunus has promised national elections by July 2026, the fragile political environment and widespread distrust make that path challenging. 

Along with the political instability, Bangladesh has been facing challenges with a deteriorating law and order situation with increasing mob violence, violence against women and girls, and even religion-based clashes. Religious minorities, including Hindus and Ahmadiyyas, remain vulnerable as opportunistic groups exploit the power vacuum to spread hatred and violence. The new government’s struggle to control sectarianism shows how revolutions can awaken deep-rooted tensions that are hard to contain.

Politico-constitutional crisis in Nepal

In Nepal, following the resignation of KP Oli, led to a similar sequence of events like in Bangladesh. With the formation of a power vacuum, Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel and President Ram Chandra Paudel stepped in. 

After talks with the leading GenZ protest groups, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister under Article 61, which confers power on the President to protect the constitution. However, her appointment immediately became controversial as a section of lawyers and learned class argued that “none of the constitutional provision explicitly recognizes” Karki’s elevation to PM office.   

As of Sept 29, sixteen writs have been registered at the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench challenging the legality of her government.

State facilities burned and vandalized 

Adding to the crisis, Nepal’s law and order situation has deteriorated. Key government buildings, including the Supreme Court, Revenue offices in Kathmandu, Biratnagar and others, Morang District Court, Biratnagar High Court, Rajbiraj High Court, Saptari District Court, Kathmandu District Court and other courts, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Federal Parliament were burned down during the protests. Resultantly, the offices so damaged are yet to stand functional in full-fledged mode.  

The Supreme Court continued operating its benches from temporary tents.

Drop in security personnel morale 

The morale of security forces has also plummeted. Nearly 1,000 personnel from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have resigned following the protests. With the interim government planning elections on 5 March 2026 the weakened security apparatus poses a major threat. 

The criminal gangs, political opportunists, and even external actors could exploit the instability. For ordinary citizens, this means growing insecurity, political uncertainty, and potential lawlessness on the streets. 

Economic dimension 

In the aspect of economy, both Nepal and Bangladesh are facing economic challenges following their revolutions. In Bangladesh many industries have been shut down leading to massive job losses, with many industries still not in operation, banks have been reluctant to issue letters of credit, dealing a severe blow to international trade and business confidence. 

On a more positive note, the interim government has introduced several economic reforms aimed at recovering laundered money and attracting fresh investments. 

Nepal can take inspiration from these efforts and adopt similar strategies to stabilize its own struggling economy. Nepal, too, is suffering economically in the aftermath of the September Revolution. The repercussions have been evident in the sharp decline of the tourism industry, which is one of the country’s main sources of revenue. 

Furthermore, Nepal Rastra Bank Governor, has acknowledged that investor confidence has significantly weakened since the GenZ movement, creating additional pressure on the already fragile economic environment. The World Bank has also lowered Nepal’s economic growth forecast to 2.1 percent for 2025/26 from 5.2 percent which is an alarming rate.

If political instability continues Nepal could face severe consequences like a slowdown in foreign investment, rising unemployment, and many more.

Way forward

Given the political instability and the challenges, the future remains uncertain, but it will be interesting to see how it unfolds, hopefully in an optimistic light for both Nepal and Bangladesh. 

History offers examples of nations like Germany and Japan, which managed to rebuild themselves into major economic powers after experiencing total devastation and political overhauls. With perseverance, accountability, and reform, there is hope that both countries can follow a similar path toward recovery and progress.

Bangladesh will hold a national referendum on implementing its ‘July Charter’ for state reform, drafted after last year's deadly student-led uprising, Muhammad Yunus, the head of the country's interim government, said on Thursday, Reuters reported. 

He also reiterated that parliamentary elections will be held in the first half of February and that they would be free and fair.

The interim government approved the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order 2025 on Thursday and it will be implemented depending on the outcome of the referendum, according to Reuters.

A fire on Tuesday at a garment factory in Bangladesh and an adjacent chemical warehouse killed at least 16 people and injured others, and the death toll could rise, an official said, Reuters reported.

The cause of the blaze wasn't immediately known, fire service director Tajul Islam Chowdhury said.

"Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the second and third floors of the garment factory," he said, adding that the number of deaths could rise as recovery operations were continuing, according to Reuters.

The man tipped to be the next prime minister of Bangladesh has ended months of speculation by saying he will return from two decades overseas to fight landmark elections, BBC reported.

"The time has come, God willing, I will return soon," Tarique Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's acting chairman, told BBC Bangla in his first face-to-face interview for nearly 20 years.

The BNP is the frontrunner in the vote due in February and Rahman, the son of its ailing leader, is expected to lead the country if it wins.

Many view it as one of the most consequential in Bangladesh's history after mass protests ousted three-time PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Her Awami League party is unlikely to be allowed to take part, according to BBC.

Chief Advisor to the Bangladeshi Government, Prof Muhammad Yunus has congratulated Sushila Karki on her appointment as the Prime Minister of Nepal. In his congratulatory message today, he wished for her successful term as the Nepal's Interim Prime Minister.     

Stating that taking on the responsibility of Prime Minister during adverse circumstances in the country reflects the trust and confidence of the Nepali people on her, Chief Advisor Yunus expressed his belief that Nepal will find a path towards development, peace, and stability under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Karki.     

Expressing his willingness to work closely with Prime Minister Karki, who also owns the responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief Advisor Yunus expressed confidence that the long-standing relationship between Bangladesh and Nepal founded on mutual respect and cooperation will continue to grow stronger.     

He also paid tributes to those who lost their lives during the protests and wished a speedy recovery of the injured. (RSS)

Bangladesh faces a fast-worsening public health crisis as the mosquito-borne diseases dengue and chikungunya spread side by side, overwhelming hospitals and heightening fears of an even bigger outbreak in the weeks ahead, Reuters reported.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, the country has recorded more than 33,800 dengue cases and 132 deaths in 2025. In the first week of September, at least 10 people died and more than 1,500 were admitted to hospitals with fever.

Chikungunya, absent for years, is making a forceful return, according to Reuters.

Bangladesh will close three land ports—Chilahati in Nilphamari, Daulatganj in Chuadanga, and Tegamukh in Rangamati—and suspend operations at Balla in Habiganj after a government committee found them inactive and unprofitable due to low trade, Firstpost reported.

Chief Adviser Yunus said many ports were approved for political reasons but saw little activity, imposing unnecessary costs on taxpayers. The committee also noted that Balla’s lack of infrastructure and poor road connectivity on the Indian side made cross-border trade impractical.

According to Firstpost, the decision follows India’s suspension of a transshipment facility that previously allowed Bangladeshi exports via Indian land routes.