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The government has withdrawn Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Abida Islam, accusing her of not serving the interests of the Bangladeshi community and of keeping the community divided through her actions.
"The good news is that High Commissioner Abida Islam has been withdrawn. She has been removed from her post," Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, who is currently visiting London, told reporters on Saturday.
He claimed that Abida Islam did not serve the interests of the community.
Abida Islam has kept the High Commission in London Awami League-aligned, Adviser Kobir also said.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is also visiting London to attend the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at Lancaster House in March, an event that is also being viewed as an opportunity for Bangladesh to seek broader support for its candidature for the Presidency of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), UNB reports.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir is accompanying the foreign minister.
High Commissioner Abida Islam officially assumed office as High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on January 27, 2025.
A career diplomat, High Commissioner Islam has "significantly contributed" to strengthening Bangladesh's foreign relations, particularly with Southeast Asia, the Americas, and on the international stage, according to her profile.
Her efforts have "notably enhanced" Bangladesh's diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with various countries.
Abida Islam has held key diplomatic positions in several international postings, including in the Bangladesh missions in London (2001–2004), Colombo (2004–2006), and Brussels (2009–2012), and served as Deputy High Commissioner at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, India (2012–2014).
As the first female Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Mission in Kolkata, Ambassador Islam was "instrumental in strengthening" Bangladesh's ties with the West Bengal region of India, according to her profile.
In her capacity as Director General, Ambassador Islam oversaw two significant wings within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the International Organisations Wing (2014–2015) and the Americas Wing (2015–2017).
During her tenure as Ambassador to South Korea, Ambassador Islam worked to improve Bangladesh–South Korea relations, particularly in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.