Ambassador to US Siam likely to be new foreign secy

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Asad Alam Siam is likely to be appointed the new foreign secretary, as Jashim Uddin is to step down from the post within a day or two.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain has clarified that Jashim leaving the post has no government involvement and the decision was his own.

A ministry official confirmed that Siam was instructed to return to the country and assume his new position by June 20.

Asad Alam Siam was appointed ambassador to the US on December 5, 2024.

Earlier, Siam served as the ambassador to Austria and was also the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the International Organizations in Vienna.

Until Siam's appointment as foreign secretary, Ruhul Alam Siddique, a secretary to the foreign ministry, will serve as the acting foreign secretary.

Sources said Jashim Uddin will be going on a 45-day leave.

He is stepping down from the post within a day or two of his own accord, and the government is not removing him, the foreign adviser told reporters at the foreign ministry yesterday.

"He [Jashim] wants to leave the post for various reasons on his own. He will leave in a day or two … He will still very much remain in the job [foreign service]. Just his responsibilities will change."

"It isn't something to explain. Someone can discontinue their duties for various factors … There might be some factors."

According to foreign ministry officials, the decision to change the foreign secretary was taken early this month. They said Jashim was given several options -- including being appointed ambassador to a country of his choice or rector of the Foreign Service Academy.

Following a social media campaign against the foreign secretary, a sense of unease has been prevailing within the ministry, with some officials reportedly also aggrieved by him, ministry sources said.

Meanwhile, the government in April appointed Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, former permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN offices in Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland, as special assistant for foreign affairs to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, with the rank and status of a state minister.

Asked why he has not yet joined office, Touhid said, "He will join when the government decides … There are some issues that have come into consideration."