The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed all Bangladeshi diplomatic missions, consulates, offices and residences of diplomats abroad to remove the portrait of President Md. Shahabuddin. Several regional ambassadors and high commissioners have been informed of this directive over the telephone.

The instructions were given on Friday (August 15, 2025). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed some regional ambassadors/high commissioners to remove the portrait of President Md. Shahabuddin from diplomatic missions, consulates, diplomats' offices and residences through telephone calls without any formal letter or e-mail. The envoys in charge have been asked to inform other missions about this instruction from the ministry.

Speaking to envoys from several missions in South Asia, Africa, and Europe, it was learned that they have not yet received instructions to remove the president's portrait. However, two heads of missions abroad said that they have received instructions from the government.

A responsible diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that instructions have been given to remove the picture of President Md. Shahabuddin from diplomatic missions, consulates, diplomats' offices and residences in Dhaka. This was not communicated through a formal letter or e-mail. The Foreign Ministry has informed some regional envoys about this government directive over the telephone. They are informing other missions. At the same time, they will supervise the removal of the picture.

"The ambassador assigned to our region did not inform us directly. An ambassador from a nearby mission informed us of this directive on his behalf," another diplomat said.