India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has described the issue surrounding former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India as a “judicial legal process”, emphasising that it requires “engagement and consultations” between New Delhi and Dhaka. “We are examining these issues. We look forward to working together with Bangladesh authorities on these issues,” Misri said during an interaction with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi. Beyond that, Misri noted, “I don’t think it would be constructive to say anything further at this point.” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) B Shyam, DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun were also present during the session. Addressing perceptions of political bias, the Indian foreign secretary rejected suggestions that India favoured any particular group in Bangladesh. “We should set aside the perception that we have a favourite, or that we are trying to engage with one set of people or ignore another,” he said. Misri stressed India’s preference for a swift return to democracy in Bangladesh. “We want the earliest possible expression of the mandate of the people, through which a democratically elected government will emerge,” he said. Asked whether India was attempting to reinstate Sheikh Hasina or her Awami League party, Misri firmly denied such claims. “We are only in favour of an early election in Bangladesh to give its people an opportunity to express their mandate to a popularly elected government,” he stated. “We will deal with the government. We are prepared to deal with the government. I don’t think there is anything else to say with regards to that.” His remarks came amid Dhaka’s ongoing efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly been in India since August 5 last year following her ouster. Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters recently that the government has yet to receive a positive response from India regarding its request for Hasina’s extradition to face trial at home. Hossain noted that Hasina’s trial had already commenced and would proceed regardless of her return. When asked if Bangladesh would seek international assistance to bring her back, he said, “The government can seek assistance if it deems it necessary. However, I do not see any need at the moment.” In December of last year, Bangladesh formally submitted a diplomatic note, along with supporting documents, to India, requesting Hasina’s extradition. The DCAB delegation currently in India comprises 23 members, visiting at the invitation of the Indian government.

Senior journalists on Monday urged the Election Commission to demonstrate firmness and a strong commitment to ensure a level-playing field and effectively fight abuse of AI and social media for holding the 13th parliamentary election in a fair and festive manner. ““Those who conducted the last elections are now on the dock (being made accountable). So, there is apprehension that you may face the same fate. You have to act, do or die. Perhaps a more dangerous authoritarian may sit on our shoulders. So, it is time to show firmness. We expect it from you,” Kaler Kantho Editor and Jatiya Press Club President Hasan Hafiz. Senior journalists, including editors of leading print and online media outlets, placed a series of recommendations at an electoral dialogue chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital in the afternoon. Hasan Hafiz recommended forming a surveillance committee in every electoral area involving local dignitaries from various professions to intensify cyber monitoring to check the spread of AI-driven propaganda. “You have already identified AI as a big challenge,” he said. Noting that conspiracies are there at home and abroad to spoil the election, he urged the EC to clarify its stance regarding the Awami League, whose political activities remain suspended. “You can’t exclude the Awami League voters and they are citizens of the country. Though they still don't show remorse or become repented, this election can’t be held keeping them left. You should make your stance clear about it before the national and the international community,” he added. Daily Jugantor Editor Abdul Hye Sikder underscored the need for maintaining law and order to ensure a festive voting environment. “The people of the country want to cast vote amid a festive atmosphere. But the current law and order situation is very fragile in the country,” he said. He said holding a fair election will be a very risky task if security concerns persist. Prothom Alo Executive Editor Sajjad Sharif said there were still many uncertainties, rumours and false information about the upcoming polls. But the head of the government and the CEC have both assured that the election will be held and that it will be a good one. “People have long waited for a transparent, spontaneous, and joyous election in the current situation achieved through blood and sacrifice,” he said. He, however, expressed concerns over the fragile law and order situation, weak condition of institutions and the administration, the growing use of money and muscle power in politics. The EC must ensure candidates’ affidavits are scrutinized,” he added. Sajjad Sharif also warned that public opinion could be shaped by financing on the digital space and Awami League grabbed the power for a long time by creating a digital force and financing for digital propaganda. The EC should address the issue, he added. “This commission may try to do many things. But, people will want to see how strong the backbone or moral power of the Election Commission is strong. For this, make visible everything you want to do, set an example in a couple of cases,” he added. The event also featured speeches from senior journalists, including Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, Daily Sangram Editor Azam Mir Shahidul Islam, UNB Editor Mahfuzur Rahman, BanglaNews24 Editor Touhidul Islam Mintu, Khobor Sangjog Editor Sheikh Nazrul Islam, Jago News Editor KM Ziaul Haque, Acting Editor of Ajker Patrika Kamrul Hasan, Bangladesh Betar Director General ASM Zahid, Nayadiganta Executive Editor Masumur Rahman Khalili and Daily Star Head of News Ziaul Haque. In response, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin said they are aware of the growing threat of AI abuse and he sought cooperation from the Canadian High Commissioner in Bangladesh in this regard during a recent meeting. Quoting the Canadian envoy, he said, “It is a serious problem in my country (Canada) as well. We (Canada) tried hard and enacted many laws but can’t control to a large extent. We could check it to some extent, but we can’t claim success. We'd have to face a lot of troubles with AI. We will try our best to present the nation a fair,” the CEC assured in his concluding remark.” Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said the abuse of AI and social media is “seriously a global challenge.” “I was assigned by the Commission to meet with different electoral bodies, and I held discussions with more than two dozen of them. All expressed the same concern. More than half of them said elections today are ‘free but not fair’ due to AI and social media intervention,” he said. Sanaullah said the global statistics show nearly 50 percent of such content sources cannot be traced, and many operate from outside the country boundaries. He said the UNDP has the technical platform and capacity to deploy monitoring mechanisms and the EC is taking support from that platform. “Besides, we are integrating our domestic capabilities—police, BTRC, BTMC, and intelligence agencies—to establish a central monitoring structure,” he said. The EC won’t apply any restrictive method like shutting down social media or slowing internet speed as it might work for a day or two, not for three or four months. “Instead, our strategy is to enhance the flow of authentic and true information, the more falsehoods will become marginal,” Sanaullah explained. Three other election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad and Anwarul Islam Sarker were also present.

Gold has smashed records in Bangladesh once again, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announcing a hike of Tk 2,192 per bhori, setting the price of 22-carat gold at Tk 1,97,576 per bhori—the highest in the nation’s history. The revised rate, effective from Sunday, comes as global bullion markets surge to near-unprecedented highs amid fears of a slowing U.S. economy, political turmoil in Washington, and renewed central bank gold buying. The adjustment marks the second major hike in just a week, after BAJUS raised prices to Tk 1,95,384 per bhori on September 29. The relentless upward spiral now brings domestic prices within striking distance of Tk 2 lakh per bhori, a psychological threshold that underscores gold’s newfound dominance as both a store of value and a hedge against economic shocks. Global Forces Behind the Local Spike The BAJUS move reflects extraordinary volatility on the world stage. Spot gold hovered above $3,885 an ounce on Friday, just $12 shy of Thursday’s record high of $3,896. Analysts say bullion is heading for a seventh straight week of gains, supported by safe-haven demand, rate-cut bets, and a weaker dollar. U.S. political paralysis: The government shutdown in Washington, now in its third day, has delayed critical economic data, including the non-farm payrolls report, clouding central bank decision-making. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee warned the shutdown would “make it harder” to gauge the economy’s health. Rate-cut fever: Investors are betting on at least two Federal Reserve rate cuts before year-end, with markets pricing in a 97% chance of an October cut. Lower rates historically fuel gold rallies by reducing the appeal of interest-bearing assets. Central bank demand: From China to the Middle East, central banks are adding aggressively to gold reserves as part of a de-dollarization push, further tightening global supply. Geopolitical tensions: Escalating frictions between Russia and NATO, along with uncertainty around Donald Trump’s renewed attacks on the Fed, have kept investors on edge, reinforcing gold’s role as a safe haven. The result: Gold has surged 48% so far in 2025, its strongest run since 1979 when oil shocks and political upheaval sent bullion soaring. Bangladesh at the Crossroads In Bangladesh, the latest BAJUS hike pushes: 21-carat gold to Tk 1,88,595 per bhori, 18-carat gold to Tk 1,61,651, and Traditional method gold to Tk 1,34,253. Consumers will also face a 5% government VAT and a minimum 6% making charge, though actual costs vary by design. The sharp increase is expected to hit domestic jewellery demand, but traders note that gold’s investment appeal may now outpace its ornamental use. Outlook: $4,000 in Sight? Global banks are raising their forecasts. UBS expects bullion to touch $3,800 by year-end, while Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs have upgraded their outlooks to $4,000 per ounce by 2026. Bloomberg data shows over $17.6 billion flowed into gold funds in the past month alone, underscoring investor conviction. Yet analysts caution that gold remains technically “overbought” and vulnerable to a pullback if U.S. economic data stabilizes or geopolitical tensions ease. Still, with the dollar weakening and political dysfunction deepening, few see an alternative to bullion. As one London strategist put it: “There is no quantitative easing of geology—gold’s scarcity makes it the ultimate hedge when trust in governments falters.”