Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has indicated a wish to have good relations with India, though he recognized that attempts are usually thwarted by complexities—particularly disinformation, which he alleges comes from Indian media houses.
Addressing an event in London on Wednesday, organized by Chatham House, Yunus addressed a variety of topics including his nation's changing relationship with India and the political agenda for the future, starting with a Charter for July initiative to be launched next month.
To a query from Chatham House Director Bronwen Maddox, Yunus replied to reports of a diplomatic communication to India on the extradition of overthrown Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by saying, "This will go on, we wish the entire process to be very legal, very proper. We wish to have the best of relationship with India. It's our neighbour, we don't wish to have any type of basic issue with them."
But Yunus referred to continued tensions between the two countries, saying, "But somehow things go wrong every time because of all the fake news being pushed out by the Indian press and a lot of people say it has links with policymakers at the top." He continued, "So, this is what makes Bangladesh very jittery, very, very angry.". We attempt to move beyond this wrath but an entire arsenal of things continues to occur in cyberspace. We cannot simply avoid that. Suddenly they make a comment, do something, wrath returns."
He characterized his government's overall task as attempting to establish stability for citizens. "This is our big task, to make sure we can have at least a peaceful life to go on with our life. To create the life we are dreaming of," he said.
When questioned about India's uncertain role towards Sheikh Hasina, Yunus commented: "All the rage (against Hasina) has now shifted towards India because she went there."
Speaking about a previous conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yunos stated, "When I had an opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Modi, I just said: you want to invite her, I cannot make you drop that policy.". But kindly assist us in ensuring she does not address Bangladeshi citizens the way she is addressing them (online). She says on such and such date, such and such time, she will speak and the entire (of) Bangladesh becomes extremely angry.
As reported by Yunus, Modi replied that there wasn't much the Indian government could do about her social media activity. "It's (an) explosive situation, you can't just walk away by saying it's the social media," Yunus further said.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina from power on August 5, 2024, as country-wide student-led protests in Bangladesh compelled her to leave Dhaka, the capital city. She now has several legal cases pending in the country.
Yunus, the 84-year-old recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, became the chief of Bangladesh's caretaker administration in August 2024. He assured last week that national elections would be conducted by mid-2026. When requested to speculate on whether he would join the elected government, Yunus categorically replied: "No way."
He traveled to the United Kingdom on Tuesday for an official visit that will last four days. Members of Hasina's Awami League in the UK protested against his arrival. Yunus is scheduled to hold discussions with King Charles III as well as Britain's top government officials during his visit.
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