‘No alternative' to good ties with India
The head of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has said his country has no choice but to maintain good relations with India. Ties between the two neighbors have nosedived since former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign last year following deadly protests. In an interview with BBC Bangla published on Monday, and cited by Bangladeshi outlet the Business Standard, Yunus acknowledged that the two countries are 'historically, politically and economically' inseparable. 'There is no alternative to maintain good relations between the two countries,' he said, adding that 'we cannot deviate from this.' Yunus claimed that 'propaganda' has resulted in 'some conflicts' between India and Bangladesh, but said that ties are still 'in very good shape' and that 'there is no deterioration.' 'We are trying to overcome those misunderstandings. There is no problem in our basic relationship,' he added.
Yunus previously accused the Indian media of spreading 'propaganda' over alleged atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh after the fall of Hasina's government.
His remarks come ahead of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) summit in Thailand next month, where Yunus is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to reports.
Ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have been tense following the downfall of Hasina's government in August 2024. After her resignation, Hasina fled to India, where she remains. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and outspoken critic of Hasina, was appointed as the chief adviser of the caretaker government on August 8.
The primary objectives of his administration were to reestablish law and order, as well as to facilitate a democratic transition by conducting new elections. However, elections have not yet been announced.
The interim government in Dhaka has been seeking Hasina's extradition to face trial in numerous criminal cases that were filed against her and members of her former government, with allegations including murder, torture, abduction, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
However, New Delhi has yet to provide a formal response to the requests. In February, Hasina claimed that the Bangladeshi interim government is run by a 'mobster' who has unleashed 'terrorists' and fostered 'lawlessness' in the country.
In response to the remarks, the government in Dhaka reiterated its demand to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh. The country's Foreign Ministry claimed that Hasina's statements were 'false and provocative' and were 'hurting the people's sentiments in Bangladesh.'
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