Background of the Relations

The relation between Bangladesh-Russia is a historical one. During the War of Independence of Bangladesh, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) stood for Bangladesh and thwarted international pressures and obstacles in the path to the creation of Bangladesh. Soviet Union was also among the first few countries to recognize the newly independent Bangladesh on January 25, 1972.

Russian Prime Minister Kosygin greeted Bangabandhu

Immediately after the independence of Bangladesh, the USSR extended all-out support to the reconstruction efforts of the war-ravaged country. It also provided its valuable support to Bangladesh in acquiring international recognition and eventually joining the United Nations.

Bangabandhu was warmly received by Secretary General of the 

Communist Party Leonid I. Brezhnev at the Kremlin Palace

The historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Moscow from 1-5 March 1972 ushered a new era of relations between the two countries. Soviet Prime Minister His Excellency Aleksei N. Kosygin received the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the airport which was also his first official visit outside South Asia since he took office in January 1972. During this visit, Bangabandhu had formal talks with His Excellency Leonid I. Brezhnev, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of USSR, on 2 March 1972. In this maiden visit of the Father of the Nation, an inter-governmental agreement on economic and technical cooperation, trade representation, cultural, education and scientific cooperation was signed which laid the very foundation of the bilateral relation between the two countries. 

Two Prime Ministers after the signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement

Following the visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman, the Soviet Government sent minesweepers to Bangladesh for clearing the mines and sunken ships and vessels at Chittagong Sea Port. The clearing operation which began on April 26, 1972 continued for 26 months. During this clearing operation Soviet sailor Yuri V. Redkin lost his life who was buried with full military honors in the Bangladesh Naval Academy compound. Soviet Union extended its financial and technical assistance to Bangladesh in the construction and renovation of power plants at Ghorasal and Siddhirganj.

On December 29, 1991, Bangladesh recognized Russia as a successor to the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).