Muscat: Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain is set to hold a bilateral discussion with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during the Indian Ocean Conference scheduled in Muscat from February 16-17. “Honourable foreign adviser is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart in Muscat,” stated Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam during the weekly media briefing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agenda for the bilateral discussions between the two countries has yet to be finalized. The Foreign Minister of Oman and India’s External Affairs Minister extended an invitation to Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser to participate in the conference, which is being co-organized by the foreign ministries of India and Oman.
Beyond meeting with the Indian counterpart, Alam mentioned that the Foreign Affairs Adviser is also likely to engage in discussions with key political figures from the Omani government and other participating nations. This year’s conference agenda covers a wide range of topics, including maritime partnerships, advocating for the Global South, protecting maritime economic interests, and enhancing maritime supply chains.
The Foreign Affairs Adviser is expected to contribute to the discussions in the plenary session focused on strengthening maritime supply chains. Since its inception in 2016, the Indian Ocean Conference has been a platform for fostering cooperation, with Bangladesh having hosted the 6th edition in 2023.
Alam emphasized that through constructive dialogues with participating countries, the conference aims to promote enhanced cooperation to address regional challenges. Before arriving in Muscat, Hossain traveled to Dubai, accompanying Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus for the ‘World Government Summit 2025’ in the United Arab Emirates.
An official from the foreign ministry confirmed to BSS on Wednesday that Hossain will proceed to Muscat from Dubai on February 14 to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference. He is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on February 18 after concluding the conference in the Omani capital.