Bangladesh and Russia on Monday discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in energy, trade and investment, while reviewing the current status and future prospects of bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, during which the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues, a senior official told UNB.
The foreign minister is on a three-day visit to Russia at the invitation of his Russian counterpart. Following the bilateral talks, the two foreign ministers addressed a joint media briefing.
This marks Dr Khalilur’s first visit to Russia in his current capacity.
Ahead of the visit, Russia described the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as the flagship project of bilateral cooperation, saying it is expected to generate up to 10 percent of Bangladesh’s total electricity once fully operational.
The first unit of the plant was commissioned on April 28, while the second unit is expected to come online later this year.
Russia also highlighted wider energy cooperation, noting the involvement of Gazprom International Limited, which between 2012 and 2023 drilled and completed around 20 wells in Bangladesh’s gas fields.
Beyond energy, both sides discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment and education.
Russia said bilateral political dialogue has continued steadily since 1972, when it was among the first countries to recognize Bangladesh’s independence. It also recalled Soviet assistance in clearing mines and sunken vessels at Chattogram port in the early 1970s.
Bilateral trade has consistently exceeded US$2 billion annually in recent years, with Russia exporting industrial equipment, fertilizers and wheat, while Bangladesh exports ready-made garments and seafood.
The Intergovernmental Russian-Bangladesh Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation remains the main platform for advancing economic ties, with its last meeting held virtually on March 15, 2023.
For the 2025–26 academic year, Russia has allocated 185 scholarships for Bangladeshi students under its federally funded education program.
The meeting also included discussions on parliamentary and multilateral cooperation, including engagement at the United Nations and other international forums.
