Diplomatic Correspondent: Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday, reaffirming Riyadh's commitment to deepening bilateral relations.

The meeting was held at 11am at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, said Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahaman Rumon.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and the Prime Minister's Adviser Humayun Kabir were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the Saudi envoy conveyed greetings from his government and expressed his commitment to further strengthening Saudi Arabia–Bangladesh relations.

Foreign minister described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh.

He recalled that diplomatic relations between the two countries formally deepened with the establishment of Bangladesh's embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1976 during the presidency of former president Ziaur Rahman.

Both sides acknowledged Ziaur Rahman's historic contribution to promoting Muslim unity.

The foreign minister appreciated the Saudi leadership's role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and across the Muslim world, and expressed gratitude for hosting a large number of Bangladeshi workers in the Kingdom.

He also highlighted the potential to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy and other priority sectors, leveraging the geostrategic positions of both countries.

Recalling Saudi Arabia's support in facilitating the repatriation of around 200,000 Rohingyas in 1979 at Bangladesh's request, Khalilur thanked the Kingdom for its continued humanitarian assistance for approximately 1.2 million Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh and sought support for their sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

Saudi Envoy noted that Saudi Arabia issued around 750,000 work visas and a total of 1.4 million visas to Bangladeshi citizens in 2025, adding that ongoing development projects in Saudi Arabia create opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers.

Saudi Ambassador expressed support for the current government and said he would work to elevate the existing bilateral engagement into a more comprehensive partnership.