National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, also the Chief Adviser's high representative for the Rohingya issue, has categorically denied any discussion or agreement regarding the establishment of a humanitarian corridor centered on Myanmar's Rakhine region.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Dr Rahman stated, "Let me make it absolutely clear-we have not discussed any corridor with anyone, and we have no intention to do so. First, we must understand what a corridor entails. It typically refers to an emergency system to evacuate people from disaster-affected areas. That is not the case here."
He explained that the current effort, prompted by United Nations requests, is about enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid-not the movement of people. "Since it is not possible to send aid to Rakhine (Arakan) through other means, the UN approached us. They asked for our help in facilitating the passage of aid through this route," he said.
Dr Rahman emphasized that the United Nations has been working closely with Bangladesh for several years to support Rohingyas.
"The UN asked for our cooperation so their partners could reach existing distribution channels inside Rakhine," he added.
Rejecting speculation about any planned humanitarian corridor, the Security Adviser said, "You can verify this with the United Nations. There is no need for a corridor in Arakan. No one is being evacuated-what is required is the delivery of aid."
He reiterated that the conditions for Rohingya repatriation remain unmet due to continued instability in Rakhine. "As long as the situation remains volatile, repatriation is off the table. People ask why we haven't discussed the corridor-I ask, how can we discuss something that doesn't exist?"
Dr Rahman further explained that no formal agreement has yet been reached on aid delivery to Rakhine, as such efforts require consent from all relevant stakeholders and adherence to international humanitarian standards. These include unimpeded access for aid workers and recipients, non-discrimination in aid distribution, ensuring aid is not weaponized, and suspension of armed conflict in aid zones.
Addressing a question on whether there were any differences between his office and the military on the aid issue, Dr Rahman clarified: "I have held detailed discussions with the Army Chief, and there are no disagreements. We are on the same page."
When asked about Foreign Affairs Adviser Towhid Hossain's earlier comments in April suggesting a policy decision on the corridor, Dr Rahman said, "I speak with the Foreign Affairs Adviser daily. He did use the word 'corridor,' but it was actually a slip-he meant 'pathway.' He corrected himself and never repeated it."
Responding to questions about alleged foreign pressure to open a corridor, the Security Adviser firmly denied such claims. "No one is pressuring us. We are maintaining open communication with all our international partners, including the United States and China. Our priority remains simple and clear: the Rohingyas must return home-and return in a way that ensures they don't need to flee again. It must be a sustainable repatriation."
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Ambassador Siam likely to replace Jashim Uddin as Foreign Secretary
111Diplomatic Correspondent222
The government is likely to appoint Asad Alam Siam, Ambassador to the United States, as the next Foreign Secretary.
"There was a proposed list of three candidates, however, Ambassador Siam is likely to replace current Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin," a Foreign Ministry official said.
If there is no further change in the decision of the government, Ambassador Siam will replace current Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, the official added.
It could not be known whether the current Foreign Secretary will be sent on leave or will follow a new posting abroad.
However, in September last year, the government appointed Jashim Uddin as the 27th Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh. A career diplomat, Jashim joined Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1994.
Jashim, from the 13th batch of BCS (Foreign Affairs) Cadre, served extensively both at home and abroad.
There was a speculation that the Foreign Secretary would be replaced, but there is no official announcement yet.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Siam joined the diplomatic service in 1995. He joined Bangladesh Embassy in the USA in December 2024.
A graduate in Architecture from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, he did his MBA from Maastricht School of Management, the Netherlands.
Ambassador Siam attended different professional courses at SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu; APCSS, Hawaii; IFANS, Seoul; National Defence College, Dhaka.
He was a guest lecturer in different training institutions in Bangladesh.
In his long diplomatic career, Ambassador Siam served as Director in the Offices of Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary; Director General in Europe and EU wing; Chief of Protocol, Rector of the Foreign Service Academy and Inspector General of Missions in the Foreign Ministry.
Overseas, he served in Bangladesh Missions in Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manchester.
He was Bangladesh's first Consul General in Milan, Italy; and Bangladesh's Ambassador to the Philippines, Palau, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia.
He participated in various bilateral, regional and multilateral negotiations representing Bangladesh. He served as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Vienna and to OPEC Fund.
He was also Bangladesh's Alternate Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP in Bangkok.
He served as Governor in the Board of Governors of IAEA, Vice Chair at the 67th Commission on Narcotic and Drugs in UNODC, in the Board of Governors of the Colombo Plan Staff College, Manila both as a Chair and a Governor.
