Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar sends congratulatory message to Khalilur Rahman

POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 3, 2026 : Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has congratulated Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on being elected as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also congratulated him.
They congratulated Khalilur Rahman in separate congratulatory messages on Tuesday (June 2).
The Indian Foreign Minister said in a post on his X handle, “Congratulations to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on being elected as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. I look forward to working closely with him to advance our common priorities and strengthen multilateral cooperation.”
On the other hand, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, addressing Khalilur Rahman as ‘brother’ in a tweet, said, “My dear brother, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, my heartfelt congratulations on being elected as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.” Having worked closely with him, I am confident that his vast diplomatic experience and unwavering commitment to multilateralism will lead the Council with great efficiency.
Ishaq Dar said, I look forward to working together to continue our engagement in the United Nations and strengthen multilateral cooperation, advance common global priorities and promote dialogue, peace and sustainable development.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan wished Khalilur Rahman all the best in this important responsibility and initiative.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, defeating Cyprus’ Special Envoy for Multilateralism, Andrej Kakouris. Out of the 190 votes cast by member states, Khalilur Rahman received 99 votes. His only rival, Andrej Kakouris of Cyprus, received 91 votes. The Cypriot candidate lost to the Bangladeshi candidate by a margin of 8 votes.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will serve as the president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly for the next year. The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to officially begin on September 8. The high-level general debate will begin on September 22 with speeches by world leaders.