Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday underscored the need for a negotiated settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to protect common people around the world from food, energy and financial insecurities.
She emphasised the issue while discussing the impact of the war in Ukraine, particularly on the Global South, with Leader of the Opposition and Head of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer at her place of residence in London.
She suggested reviewing whether the sanctions imposed in the wake of the war were having otherwise implications for people in developing countries.
The prime minister is in the United Kingdom on a four-day visit to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
According to a press release, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her profound condolences at the queen’s demise.
The Labour Party leader thanked the prime minister for her tribute in memory of the queen.
They also recalled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s meeting and personal rapport with the former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the Labour leader for his messages on the occasions of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
Starmer recalled his visit to Bangladesh in 2016 and his meeting with the prime minister at the time.
He expressed satisfaction at the growing number of people of Bangladesh origin being elected to offices from the Labour Party around the UK.
“Bangladesh and the UK are bound by excellent ties and further reinforced by the British-Bangladesh diaspora.”
He said that the Labour Party was working on promoting and nurturing young generation leaders that should attract more British-Bangladeshi youth.
The two sides exchanged views on the possible impacts on bilateral trade relations due to the ongoing inflationary pressures and cost-of-living crisis.
The Labour Party leader said they would continue to advocate for the big retailers in the UK and the West to share the costs with the ready-made garment manufacturers.
Starmer appreciated Bangladesh’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic under the prime minister’s leadership.
He reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to work with vulnerable countries like Bangladesh on climate change issues.
The Bangladesh prime minister appreciated the widening climate partnership between the two countries.
Sheikh Hasina briefed the Labour Party leader about the growing burden on Bangladesh due to the prolonged presence of the Rohingyas from Myanmar.
They discussed the recent flare-up of armed conflicts near Bangladesh’s border.
The prime minister pointed out that Bangladesh was exercising the utmost restraint despite the spill-over effects of the conflicts inside its territory.
Later, Lord Swaraj Paul of Marylebone paid a courtesy call on her.
The veteran member of the UK House of Lords reiterated his appreciation for the prime minister’s leadership.
He expressed interest in further promoting business and education partnerships between the two countries.
