Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed the Jatiya Sangsad on Saturday, emphasizing that his recent six-day maiden official visit to Malaysia and China—conducted from June 21 to 26—was driven primarily by a commitment to prioritizing the nation’s interests.

Speaking during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, the Prime Minister responded to the House’s unanimous adoption of a thanksgiving motion celebrating the success of his diplomatic tour.

Addressing the parliament, the Prime Minister stated, “The fundamental issue here is that the people of Bangladesh have entrusted us with the responsibility of safeguarding their interests. From our party's perspective, we use the slogan, 'Bangladesh First.'”

He further explained his diplomatic approach, noting, “What I have tried to do, ... from my position, is to speak for the interests of my country and its people and to protect those interests.”

Dismissing any notion of personal gain from these engagements, he added, “There is nothing personal in this for any of us. If there has been any achievement, it is Bangladesh's achievement.”

In his remarks, the premier expressed gratitude to all members of parliament, specifically acknowledging the Leader of the Opposition for their encouragement to continue working for the welfare of the country and its citizens.

The session had earlier seen the motion moved by LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, which was adopted by voice vote following extensive debate.

Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches characterized the visits as a milestone for Bangladesh’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy.

During the discussions, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the strategic significance of the two-nation tour.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad noted that the debate showcased a rare display of cross-party consensus, with members contributing valuable perspectives on the issue.

Before putting the motion to a vote, the Speaker concluded, “The discussions clearly indicate that the prime minister’s recent visits to Malaysia and China have opened a new horizon in Bangladesh’s foreign policy.”