Dhaka: The government has appointed Khondker Mohammad Talha, a career diplomat, as Bangladesh's Ambassador to France on a contractual basis. His appointment is set to commence on October 3, 2026, and will continue until December 31, 2027, as specified in a gazette notification issued by the Public Administration Ministry. The appointment is contingent upon the suspension of his post-retirement leave and associated benefits, as well as the termination of any employment ties with other professions, businesses, or institutions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Talha initially joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1995 and was first designated as Bangladesh's Ambassador to France in September 2021. His extensive diplomatic career includes serving as the director general of the East Asia and Pacific Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deputy high commissioner in London from 2014 to 2018, and chief of protocol from 2012 to 2014.
Talha's international experience is further highlighted by his tenure at Bangladesh's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2002 to 2006, where he focused on matters related to the UN General Assembly's Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic and Social Council, and UN funds and programmes. He also served at Bangladesh's Permanent Mission in Geneva from 2008 to 2011, addressing issues concerning the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Trade Organization.
In terms of academic qualifications, Talha holds a master's degree from the University of Dhaka, an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration of the same university, and a master's degree in foreign affairs and international trade from Monash University in Melbourne.