Dhaka, Sept. 23 -- Bangladesh has welcomed the decision of four influential Western nations - Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Portugal - to formally recognize the State of Palestine.

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain, speaking to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sunday, described the move as a positive development that strengthens Palestine's long struggle for independence.

"We have always stood by Palestine and supported its people," he said, adding that Dhaka views the decision of these countries as good news, even though the Palestinian people still have a long road ahead.

Recognition from these four countries marks a departure from past policy in the Western bloc, which for decades resis...