The recent announcement by Muhammad Yunus that Bangladesh's interim government will seek the extradition of former premier Sheikh Hasina from India has put the Indian government in a difficult position. With strained relations between the two countries and concerns over safety and stability, India must carefully weigh the pros and cons of complying with the request. This situation also raises questions about India's legal obligations and the potential impact on their relationship with Bangladesh's ruling parties.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Old Dhaka on Saturday to exchange greetings with the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja. His visit came amidst reports of attacks on other Durga Puja celebrations in Dhaka. Earlier, India had raised serious concern over the incidents and urged the government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities. During his visit, Yunus condemned the attacks and praised law enforcement agencies for their efforts in ensuring public security during Durga Puja.
In a historic meeting at the United Nations General Assembly, US President Joe Biden expressed his government's "full support" to Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. This meeting is being seen as a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries and is the first time a US President has met a head of the Bangladesh government on the sidelines of UNGA. Yunus highlighted the sacrifices made by students for the country's development and stressed the need for US cooperation in rebuilding Bangladesh. This meeting comes after a senior American diplomat reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting economic growth in Bangladesh.
US President Joe Biden offered his country's full support to Muhammad Yunus-led interim government during a rare meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. This marks the first time in history that the head of the Bangladesh government has met with a US president at UNGA. Yunus also met with other world leaders, including Canada's Justin Trudeau, to discuss ways to strengthen ties and build institutions. These meetings come after Yunus' election as head of the interim government, following widespread protests against the previous government.
In an interview with PTI, Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, refuted India's portrayal of recent violence in the country as communal and urged for better ties between Bangladesh and India. He argued that the attacks on minority Hindus are politically motivated and not indicative of religious strife. Yunus also called on India to abandon its narrative of Bangladesh being stable only under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina and to view the country as a neighbor rather than through a lens of fear.
In a fiery interview with an Indian news agency, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus accused India of hiding former Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, who fled to India after being deposed by student protesters during the "Monsoon Revolution". Dr Yunus called for her extradition and trial in Bangladesh for numerous atrocities committed during her rule, creating an embarrassing situation for India as several countries have refused to grant her asylum. As India grapples with the influx of a stateless person, it raises questions about their willingness to defend against such political turmoil.
Despite facing challenges following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's downfall, Bangladesh is seeking to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as a way to diversify its foreign policy and reduce its dependence on India. Observers say that the country's experience in international maritime arbitration and cultural links with the region could work in its favor, but it is unlikely to become a new member of the regional bloc at this time. Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has sought the support of Malaysia, Asean's chairman for next year, for Bangladesh's bid to join the 10-member organization. This development comes after Yunus's return to Bangladesh last month to lead democratic reforms and restore stability in the country following Hasina's departure to India.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government and the upsurge in Bangladesh, minority communities faced attacks and violence. However, the head of the interim government, Prof Yunus, issued an appeal to protect all minority communities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. This appeal had a powerful impact, leading to a halt in attacks, and even the formation of protection teams by Jamat-E-Islami cadres. There were also reports of misinformation and fake news being spread, with one major example being the false news about cricketer Leepan Das's house being set on fire.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has revealed that she resigned from her post to prevent further violence during protests, after being pressured to surrender the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allow American influence over the Bay of Bengal. She made these revelations as part of her undelivered speech, where she also expressed her pain over her party being targeted and vowed to return to her country soon. Hasina's resignation cleared the way for Muhammad Yunus to take over as the head of the interim government.
Following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent increase in violence against Hindus, thousands took to the streets of Dhaka and Chittagong to demand action and protection for their community. The protests were sparked by a surge in attacks, including vandalism of Hindu temples and the flight of many Hindus to neighboring India. Overseas demonstrations have also taken place in response to the escalating situation, as interim leader Muhammad Yunus condemned the violence and emphasized the need for national unity and protection for all communities.