In my previous post right after Bangladesh’s long-delayed general election, I wrote about Khalilur Rahman and his alleged connections to the CIA. Today, with his election as UN President, it’s worth revisiting those points more clearly.
Khalilur Rahman, a Bangladeshi-American, has a habit of appearing out of nowhere and stepping into key positions in Bangladesh’s government whenever there is major chaos or a leadership vacuum. This pattern, combined with his reported ties to intelligence circles, raises serious questions. He previously served as Foreign Minister under the Yunus regime, and during his tenures — both past and present — he pushed through several high-profile agreements between Bangladesh and the United States.
The problem is that these deals appear heavily one-sided which benifits US alone. Critics argue they effectively traded away pieces of Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic independence in exchange for short-term support and personal gains. The terms have left Bangladesh in a position where repayment to the US seems nearly impossible within our lifetime, pushing the country deeper into reliance on IMF loans and external financial pressure. When you connect the dots, the picture that emerges is troubling: Khalilur Rahman’s elevation to the UN presidency looks less like a victory for Bangladesh and more like a personal reward for services rendered. The country and its citizens are left holding little more than an impressive title, while the real benefits appear to have flowed elsewhere.
The Bigger Question: How Does This Actually Happen?
The United Nations voting process is supposed to be transparent and real-time. So how could someone with such contested loyalties rise to this position? The answer is straightforward: if external powers can influence the placement of a foreign minister inside Bangladesh’s government during turbulent times, they can certainly maneuver elsewhere in the international system.
Many countries that voted for him were reportedly voting for the United States by proxy. And for some others as a dual citizen with strong American connections, Khalilur Rahman represents access to Washington. Nations struggling under heavy debt burdens and IMF conditions often prioritize staying in America’s good graces — and the promise of dollars — over other considerations.
At the end of the day, this “achievement” feels hollow for ordinary Bangladeshis. A UN presidency should symbolize national pride and diplomatic strength, not serve as a consolation prize for policies that increased dependency. True sovereignty means making decisions that put Bangladesh first — not trading away long-term independence for personal elevation on the global stage.
In the future, As Khalilur Rahman to step down from foreign minister position, I hope the Prime Minister of Bangladesh finds someone from among the elected MPs to replace Khalilur Rahman — someone educated and well-mannered enough to communicate effectively with the US and the rest of the world, while representing Bangladesh’s interests only. It seemed that our PM was having difficulty finding educated MPs from his own party who could at least communicate properly with the US.