Bangladesh has officially opened diplomatic relations with the Caribbean state of Grenada following the signing of a joint declaration in London.
The agreement was signed on Thursday at the Bangladesh High Commission by Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Abida Islam, and Grenada’s High Commissioner, Rachér Croney. The signing formally marks the beginning of bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Although both nations joined the United Nations on September 17, 1974, and maintained informal contact over the years, this is the first time formal diplomatic relations have been established.
Addressing the signing ceremony, High Commissioner Abida Islam described the move as a landmark moment in Bangladesh’s diplomatic history. She said the decision, approved by the Advisory Council headed by Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to expanding South–South cooperation.
Calling the relationship “a bridge between South Asia and the Caribbean,” she said the partnership is rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to justice and fairness in global affairs. As members of the Commonwealth, she added, both countries value sovereignty and resilience, shaped by their respective nation-building experiences.
Abida Islam highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration, particularly by combining Bangladesh’s experience in disaster resilience with Grenada’s leadership among Small Island Developing States. She also pointed to potential cooperation in trade and industry, noting Bangladesh’s strengths in pharmaceuticals and textiles and Grenada’s strategic location in the Caribbean.
Grenada’s High Commissioner Rachér Croney said the two countries are united by common Commonwealth values, including democracy, development, rule of law and multilateralism. She noted that as Global South nations, both face shared challenges such as climate change, sustainable development and economic vulnerability.
Croney said the establishment of diplomatic relations creates new possibilities for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, education, capacity building and climate action. She also expressed optimism about stronger coordination between Bangladesh and Grenada at international platforms, including the United Nations and the Commonwealth.
