High Commissioner: Maldives feels like a 'second home' for Bangladeshis; ties rest on culture, labour

Bangladesh and the Maldives should further strengthen bilateral cooperation by building on their shared culture, labour ties and people-to-people connections, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam said in a recent interview.

Speaking on Sun Online’s 'Diplomatic Focus' program, Dr. Nazmul said Bangladeshi workers in the Maldives are not only contributing to the island nation's economy but also serving as a bridge between the two countries.

Dr. Nazmul described the relationship between Bangladesh and the Maldives as being founded on shared culture, religion, family values and social norms, adding that the Maldives can feel like a “second home” for Bangladeshis. He said the High Commission is working to advance cultural diplomacy through schools, cultural events, national day programmes, and outreach initiatives targeting both Maldivians and the Bangladeshi community.

He also highlighted the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives, noting that they have earned the trust of the Maldivian people through their work in the construction, tourism and service sectors. According to Dr. Nazmul, these workers have made a direct contribution to the Maldives' development while also supporting Bangladesh’s economy through remittances and strengthening long-term bilateral ties.

Addressing labour mobility, Dr. Nazmul said both countries must continue to manage migration in a balanced and sustainable manner, including through legal regularisation, biometric registration and closer cooperation with the Maldivian authorities.

“These expatriate people are actually making this bridge between these two countries,” he said, underlining the importance of Bangladeshi workers in the broader bilateral relationship.

Bangladesh and the Maldives established diplomatic relations in 1974 and have since expanded cooperation across trade, education, healthcare and labour. In recent years, the two countries have also signed agreements on cultural exchange, fisheries and broader areas of bilateral cooperation.

Bangladesh remains the largest source of foreign workers in the Maldives, with its workforce representing one of the most prominent aspects of the bilateral relationship. At the same time, both countries have been working to broaden their partnership beyond labour by promoting cooperation in education, tourism and cultural exchange.