In reply, State Minister Humaiun Kobir said, “I am a Bangladeshi. Here, Bangladesh’s... Bangladeshi. I don’t think there is anyone who would question my Bangladeshi citizenship or my position. I mean, coming here and working for Bangladesh means no opportunistic person would do that.”

Five new ministers and state ministers were sworn in as members of the cabinet last Friday, six months into the BNP government. Humaiun Kobir was sworn in as a state minister under the technocrat quota. He had previously served as the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs.

Humaiun Kobir, who grew up in the United Kingdom from childhood, was involved in Labour Party politics there. Several leaders of the UK BNP have confirmed that he is a British citizen. However, they could not confirm whether he renounced his British citizenship before taking charge as state minister for foreign affairs. Sources in the Bangladesh government also say they have no information that Humaiun Kobir has sent a letter seeking to renounce his citizenship.