Humayun Kabir has been appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 with the aim of utilizing his extensive international experience and diplomatic contacts in advancing Bangladesh’s foreign policy. He took oath as a technocrat state minister on August 21, 2026. Earlier, on February 17, he was appointed Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs with the rank and status of a state minister. According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 23, he was assigned the portfolio of State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 with the approval of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Born in Hobsapur village in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, Humayun Kabir moved to the United Kingdom with his family when he was only two and a half years old. He grew up in the UK, where he pursued his education and began his political career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex. He also pursued higher studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Cambridge, and Leeds Law School. His professional career includes experience working in various areas of the British government and local administration.
Kabir’s political journey also began in the United Kingdom. He was involved in the politics of the British Labour Party and served as secretary of the Bethnal Green and Bow branch from 2006 to 2009. He later became active in Bangladeshi politics and was appointed Joint Secretary General for International Affairs of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On October 22, 2025, he was appointed to the party’s International Affairs Committee as Joint Secretary General. His career therefore combines experience in Bangladeshi politics with a background in international affairs, British politics, and public administration.
His growing international engagement became particularly visible after he assumed the role of the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser. Within a relatively short period, Kabir visited at least 11 countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, and the Philippines, using an official passport. These visits reflect his active engagement with important international partners and his efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s diplomatic outreach and bilateral relations.
His responsibilities as State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 are also extensive. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ allocation of responsibilities, he will oversee bilateral and multilateral affairs, matters concerning non-resident Bangladeshis, and other responsibilities assigned by the Foreign Minister. His portfolio therefore includes relations with individual countries, Bangladesh’s engagement with international organizations, and issues concerning the interests and welfare of Bangladeshis living abroad.
His position on Bangladesh-India relations has also drawn attention since his appointment. Kabir has indicated that Bangladesh will not rush into a visit to India and that such a visit would take place at an appropriate time if discussions make meaningful progress on the basis of national interests. His remarks suggest an approach that places Bangladesh’s national interests at the center of its diplomatic engagement.
His British citizenship has, however, also generated political and legal discussion following his appointment. When questioned about the matter, Kabir did not provide an extensive public explanation. Subsequently, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman stated that Kabir had relinquished his British citizenship and that his appointment as state minister was made in accordance with the Constitution. The government has also maintained that there was no constitutional violation in his appointment.
Overall, Humayun Kabir’s appointment as State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 can be viewed as a continuation of his long-standing involvement in international affairs, his political and administrative experience in the United Kingdom, and his role in the BNP’s international engagement. With responsibility for bilateral and multilateral relations as well as issues concerning non-resident Bangladeshis, he faces significant diplomatic challenges. His real test will now be whether he can effectively advance Bangladesh’s national interests on the international stage and translate diplomatic engagement into tangible outcomes for the country.