Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam Appointed as Bangladesh’s New High Commissioner to Maldives

Dhaka, August 8, 2025 – The government of Bangladesh has appointed Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam, a young and accomplished academic, as the new High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives, marking a significant milestone in the country’s diplomatic history. At the age of 33, Dr. Nazmul’s appointment has sparked widespread interest and praise within diplomatic and academic circles, celebrated as a rare achievement for someone of his age.

The appointment was formalized through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on July 27, 2025, signed by Deputy Secretary Abu Saleh Md. Mahfuzul Alam. According to the notification, Dr. Nazmul has been appointed on a contractual basis for a two-year term, effective from the date of joining, on the condition that he relinquishes any other professional, business, or employment affiliations with government, semi-government, or private institutions. A subsequent order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by Director General (Administration) Md. Abul Hasan Mridha on August 3, 2025, designated Dr. Nazmul as a Special Officer on Duty and confirmed his appointment as High Commissioner to Male. Dr. Nazmul, a native of Noakhali district, has a distinguished academic and diplomatic background. He studied at the University of Dhaka, completing his postgraduate degree in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies in 2014. Despite facing significant challenges during his student years, including a reported assault in 2013 that led him to pursue higher education abroad, Dr. Nazmul’s resilience has shaped his remarkable career. With a scholarship from the Turkish government, he earned his PhD from Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor and Head of Türkiye, Asia, and Indo-Pacific Studies at the Institute for International Relations and Strategic Research (ULİSA).

As an academic, Dr. Nazmul has gained international recognition for his contributions to political science and international relations. His numerous books and research papers, including his acclaimed theory “Power of Bonding,” are archived in prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and Oxford. He has also served as a Special Adviser in the Foreign Relations and Protocol Department of the Turkish Parliament, a rare honor for a foreign national in Turkey’s century-long history. Additionally, Dr. Nazmul has been a guest lecturer at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, teaching newly appointed American diplomats assigned to South Asia since June 2024.

Dr. Nazmul has represented Bangladesh in key international forums, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. His diplomatic and academic efforts have been notable in addressing issues such as the Rohingya crisis and minority challenges in various countries. During the 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh, he actively supported the movement through international media and civil society platforms, earning widespread admiration for his courageous stance and establishing himself as an inspiration for the younger generation.

Dr. Nazmul’s appointment is seen as a new chapter in Bangladesh’s diplomacy, with expectations that his multifaceted expertise will strengthen bilateral ties with the Maldives. His journey from adversity to global recognition underscores his determination and serves as a powerful example for aspiring diplomats and scholars.