Desk News || Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has emphasized building a more diversified and institutionalized foundation for bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Tajikistan. He called for strengthening mutual cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, connectivity, tourism, and cultural exchange.Tajikistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Idibek Kalandar held a courtesy meeting with the Foreign Minister on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the first-ever Foreign Office Consultations held between the two countries. During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest and agreed to expand cooperation.In the discussion, Tajikistan's Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized building institutional frameworks —such as memorandums of understanding and various agreements  to expand bilateral cooperation. Both sides reached consensus on quickly finalizing agreements on trade and economic cooperation, cultural exchange, visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders, tourism development, avoidance of double taxation, investment protection and promotion, and industrial sector cooperation.Describing the current volume of bilateral trade as very limited, the Foreign Minister emphasized increasing private sector engagement and mutual visits by business delegations to tap into the untapped potential.The meeting also discussed the possibility of establishing permanent diplomatic missions in each other's capitals, launching direct flight connectivity, simplifying visa processes, increasing people-to-people contact, organizing exhibitions of each country's exportable products, facilitating bilateral trade and investment, and ensuring the effective movement of goods, labor, and services.Emphasis was also placed on strengthening the activities of the joint working group on trade and economic cooperation, and on the need to increase effective engagement between the two countries' parliaments and business organizations. The Foreign Minister welcomed the proposal to form a Bangladesh-Tajikistan Parliamentary Friendship Group aimed at increasing regular contact between members of parliament.Dr. Khalilur Rahman thanked Tajikistan for supporting Bangladesh's candidacy for the presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly. Both countries also agreed to continue mutual cooperation at various international and regional forums, including the UN and the OIC. Discussions at the meeting also touched on several important regional and global issues.Considering the strategic importance of South and Central Asia, they also discussed expanding broader inter-regional connectivity. During this discussion, Tajikistan's Deputy Foreign Minister expressed positive support for Bangladesh's interest in obtaining membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.