Who is Khalilur Rahman? From NSA in Muhammad Yunus administration to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister in Tarique Rahman govt

Former National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has been appointed as Bangladesh’s new Foreign Minister in the government led by Tarique Rahman. Tarique Rahman has allocated portfolios to the 50 members of his Cabinet. Khalilur Rahman previously served as NSA in the interim administration of Muhammad Yunus. Meanwhile, senior BNP leader Shama Obaid, earlier a member of the party’s international affairs subcommittee, has been named State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Following the portfolio distribution, an official order stated that Tarique Rahman will personally oversee three key ministries: the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces Division. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated Rahman, saying in a social media post that he looks forward to working together to strengthen India-Bangladesh cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity. ## Who is Khalilur Rahman? • Before taking charge as Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman served as NSA from April 2025 to February 2026. He was also appointed as the High Representative on the Rohingya issue. • A retired diplomat, Rahman has held several international roles, including serving as a former United Nations official with UNCTAD and in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. • Within BNP circles, there have at times been murmurs of factional competition over posts and influence, particularly ahead of elections or cabinet formation. His appointment stands out because the BNP had sought his resignation in May 2025 and publicly criticised several of his policies. • He has also long been seen as maintaining a somewhat distant relationship with the military establishment. • The controversy intensified in May following remarks he made during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. • Also Read | Full list of Bangladesh MPs who took oath as Cabinet ministers in Tarique Rahman’s new government ## Tarique Rahman’s cabinet holds first meeting Tarique Rahman Wednesday chaired the first meeting of his newly formed cabinet “to set the course for the new administration,” media reports said. “The newly formed cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has begun its inaugural meeting to set the course for the new administration,” BDNews24 news portal said. Rahman is presiding over the session, which began at 3 pm on Wednesday, his first official day in office, it said. He is set to hold a separate meeting with secretaries after the cabinet discussion. Rahman, 60, will deliver his maiden address to the nation at 6:30 pm (local time), the state-run BSS news agency said, quoting a statement by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The BNP leader, who became the prime minister for the first time, replaced Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, who had taken charge in August 2024 after the collapse of the Awami League regime. Rahman, the son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former premier Khaleda Zia, returned home in December after living in London in self-exile for 17 years. Along with Rahman, President Shahabuddin also administered the oath to 25 ministers and 24 state ministers on Tuesday at a ceremony, attended by several leaders from neighbouring countries. Earlier in the day, Rahman paid rich tributes to his parents, President Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, by placing wreaths at their graves at Zia Udyan in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area at noon, the BSS said. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. 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