Latest news with #MohammadYunus
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Artillery guns, rocket systems, tanks, anti-India Yunus to buy modern weapons from this European country, not UK, France, Germany, it is...
New Delhi: Bangladesh has traditionally been dependent on Chinese weapons, but during the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, it is increasingly leaning towards Turkey. On Monday, July 21, the Yunus government sent the country's Air Force Chief Hasan Mahmud Khan on a visit to Turkey. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan will meet his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul and discuss the acquisition of military equipment. What is the status of Bangladesh Turkey relations under Yunus? Just a few days ago, Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan visited the USA via Turkiye. Defense relations between Bangladesh and Turkey developed during Sheikh Hasina's tenure. During that time, military equipment including long-range guns, howitzers and tanks were procured. But since the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus came to power in August 2024, Bangladesh-Turkey defense ties have deepened. Bangladeshi defense analysts worry that this growing defense relationship could have an adverse effect on China, which has traditionally been the main supplier of arms and defense equipment to Bangladesh. The cancellation of Army Chief Waqar-uz-Zaman's visit to Beijing in the middle of June is an important sign of change in this direction. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) had invited him for this visit. What was the purpose of Turkey's Defense Secretary's Dhaka visit? Northeast News has reported that Air Chief Marshal Mahmud Khan, along with a Group Captain and a Squadron Leader, will participate in the 17th International Defense Industry Fair to be held in Istanbul from July 22 to 27. According to the report, Admiral Hasan will be on an official visit to Turkey between July 22 and 25. That is, during this time both the Navy and Air Force Chiefs of Bangladesh will be in Istanbul. Admiral Hasan's visit to Istanbul is taking place at the invitation of the Commander of the Turkish Navy. Earlier, Turkey's Defense Industry Secretary Haluk Gorgun visited Dhaka on July 8 where he met General Waker-uz-Zaman, Air-Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan and Admiral Mahmud Khan and Admiral Nazmul Hasan. Which other military hardware is Dhaka eyeing? Most importantly, Gorgun also met Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, which was coordinated by the Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces Division. Bangladesh's purchase of military equipment from Turkey focused on Mke Boran 105 mm howitzer guns, 18 of which were purchased late last year. There is a plan to increase their number to 200 in the future. Apart from this, TRG-230/300 rocket systems are also included. Bangladesh is also considering purchasing Turkish-made Otokar Tulpar light tanks.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
16 Killed After Military Jet Crashes into School in Bangladesh
Israa Farhan At least 16 people, mostly students, were killed when a Bangladeshi Air Force training jet crashed into a school campus in the capital, Dhaka. Over 100 others were injured in the devastating incident. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter jet had taken off at 1:06 PM local time and crashed shortly afterward into the grounds of Milestone School and College, located on the outskirts of the city. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with dramatic footage showing injured students being carried away on stretchers as flames engulfed parts of the school. According to the office of interim Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus, at least 83 of the injured were transferred to multiple hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Rescue operations continued late into the afternoon, with fire crews working to extinguish the blaze and secure the site. The interim Prime Minister expressed his profound sorrow over the tragedy in a statement shared on the social media platform X, describing it as a moment of national grief. He acknowledged the immense loss suffered by the Air Force, the school community, and the affected families. He stated, 'The losses endured by the Bangladesh Air Force, the students, their families, the teachers and staff of Milestone School and College, and all those affected are immeasurable. This is a moment of deep sorrow for the entire nation.' read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Can Elections Solve The Problem? A Long-Term View Of Developments In Bangladesh
Recent events cast doubt on Yunus's sincerity, suggesting he may have announced the polls merely to cling to power, making a wait-and-watch approach the best policy. With the government of Mohammad Yunus in Bangladesh announcing elections scheduled to be held in April 2026, the chief advisor has relieved himself from pressure from the Army and political parties. However, this does not imply that the differences between Yunus and the Army, particularly, have vanished. After all, it was the Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman who recently signalled clearly that the interim government should conduct polls in Bangladesh by the end of the year. Recent events cast doubt on Yunus's sincerity, suggesting he may have announced the polls merely to cling to power, making a wait-and-watch approach the best policy. Additionally, the presence of the United States in Bangladesh raises more questions than answers. A long-term view of Bangladesh reveals pervasive instability in the landscape. Even if elections are held, the outcome is likely to be confusing, and the new government will take time to settle down. Differences between the Army and the Yunus administration in Bangladesh have been festering for some time now. They are now out in the open. The Army wants a quick restoration of democracy in Bangladesh through the conduct of elections. Another issue is the 'humanitarian corridor' proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit in February. While the chief advisor and his NSA Khalilur Rahman support it, the services led by the Army chief have resisted the idea. This is where the US comes into play. Teams of State Department and military personnel have been flying into Dhaka to set up camps from which aid and assistance would be sent to the Arakan Army in its fight against the Myanmar Army. The arrival of an advance USAF team in Dhaka (9 May 2025) has set the cat among the pigeons in Bangladesh. Army Chief Orders Overturned by Yunus One of the issues over which the Army chief and chief advisor have differed is the latter's interference in the internal affairs of the army. This also arose on account of the US-backed 'humanitarian corridor' from Bangladesh into the Rakhine state in Myanmar. Some time back, the Army chief tried to remove Lt. Gen. Kamrul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer in the Armed Forces Division (AFD), which works directly under Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus. But Yunus blocked the Army chief's order with the US Charge d'Affaires standing by the chief adviser. Gen. Hassan even visited the US Embassy in Dhaka for discussions over the proposed 'humanitarian corridor' which Bangladesh intends to use to help civilians in the Rakhine State and arm the Arakan Army in its operations against the Myanmar Army. What actually happened was that on 11 May, Gen Zaman was forced to cancel a scheduled official trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, on the orders of chief advisor Yunus. That same day, Lt. Gen. Hassan met with Tracey Ann Jacobson in Dhaka, where the two were closeted for nearly two hours. That very day, Gen. Zaman moved to remove Lt. Gen. Hassan for taking a divergent view on the 'humanitarian corridor" to Myanmar. Politics Over the 'Humanitarian Corridor' The reason Gen. Zaman wanted action taken against Hassan was that the latter was in favour of the 'humanitarian corridor' as opposed to the stance taken by the three service chiefs. The proposed humanitarian corridor was discussed during UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' March visit to Dhaka and aims to channel UN-led aid through Bangladesh into Rakhine State. The initiative, if it takes off, will provide a lifeline to starving civilians and create conditions for the eventual repatriation of Rohingya refugees, a long-standing goal for Dhaka. Md Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Adviser, has said that Bangladesh's support for the corridor is conditional on the creation of a 'conducive environment" for the distribution of aid, signalling an awareness of the risks given the fragile situation in the region. On 16 May, a late-night meeting was held between the three service chiefs and Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser (NSA). Rahman, a US citizen, strongly supports the corridor. The three service chiefs, Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Navy chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, have strong reservations. Khalilur Rahman also kept the US CDA Ann Jacobson in the loop. Media reports indicate that the US Embassy in Dhaka is not the only place active, but its officers have been regularly meeting with Bangladesh Army officers in the context of the humanitarian corridor. Notably, on 23 March 2025, Brig. Gen. Amin of the O&P Directorate met a three-member team of US officials led by the Embassy's Military Attaché, Lt. Col. Michael E De Michiei, Lt. Col. Hunter Gallacher (from the Office of Defence Cooperation), and Major Ian Leonard at the AFD. Significantly, the Directorate of Operations and Plans, which identified the corridor functions directly under the AFD headed by Lt. Gen. Kamrul Hassan. NSA Rahman Pushing US Line Just how far the US has moved in the direction of supporting the Arakan Army became evident when, in the third week of March, under NSA Khalilur Rahman's orders, two trucks from the 10th Infantry Division moved into the Rakhine State, near positions held by Myanmar's junta forces. Their mission was to supply weapons to the Arakan Army. However, when junta forces opened artillery fire, the soldiers of the 10th Infantry Division were forced to abort the mission and retreat. This was followed by the arrival (10 May) of the advance team of USAF and State Department officials, who received cargo bound for Teknaf, from where the operation to supply the Arakan Army will be staged. Back to the Present Political parties in Bangladesh have expressed apprehensions over the April 2026 election schedule announced by Mohammad Yunus. The Awami League says the announcement of the date is a 'ruse' to ease pressure on the interim government, while the Bangladesh National Party has said it did not meet the aspirations of the people. This may just be rhetoric, but the very act of announcing the elections may have been inspired by the US and suits the domestic compulsions of Yunus. For the Army chief, the challenge is to play the balancing act while ensuring that his own position remains strong. Lack of strong governance and the poor law and order situation are making things difficult for Yunus. The downturn in textile and garment manufacturing is hurting the economy. In this situation, chief advisor Yunus has little to show. Merely clinging to power in the absence of genuine reform makes it a ready recipe for disaster. top videos View all It is into this situation that the US has jumped in. But its interests, while remaining clear on supporting Yunus, also aim for the current dispensation to follow its lead on the humanitarian corridor and extend support to the Arakan Army. The danger is that Washington is also playing with fire by creating dissension within the Bangladesh Army. This has implications for internal stability and cohesiveness within the military. The fallout of any such action within Bangladesh will have an impact on regional security and India. That is why these developments merit attention and careful scrutiny. As chief adviser Yunus balances the US and armed forces, he faces an uphill task in maintaining stability in the country. The writer is Consultant, MP-IDSA and a former director, national security council secretariat. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : bangladesh Muhammad Yunus Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 07, 2025, 15:41 IST News opinion Opinion | Can Elections Solve The Problem? A Long-Term View Of Developments In Bangladesh
India.com
04-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Anti India Yunus plans big conspiracy against India, may join hands with this country to open weapon factories, not Pakistan, China, country is....
Anti India Yunus plans big conspiracy against India, may join hands with this country to open weapon factories, not Pakistan, China, country is... Dhaka: Amid the ongoing tensions between India and neighbouring Bangladesh, Turkey is going to enter into a strategic defence partnership with Dhaka. As per reports, a top Turkish defence industry official will visit the Middle East country next week, and during the same period, both countries can hold important talks to expand the defence-industry partnership. People familiar with the development have said that Haluk Gorgun, head of Turkey's Defence Industry Agency (SSB), will visit Dhaka on July 8, on a one-day visit. He is scheduled to meet Chief Advisor of the Interim Government Muhammad Yunus. Is Mohammad Yunus Preparing To Enter A Strategic Defence Partnership With Turkey? It is speculated that Mohammad Yunus is preparing to enter into a strategic defence partnership with Turkey. Notably, the Middle East country helped Pakistan against India during the recent conflict. Haluk Gorgun's visit to Dhaka can not be seen as a normal formal meeting, but through this, Ankara is planning to strengthen its presence in Bangladesh at the strategic level. As per a report by the Economic Times, Gorgun is scheduled to meet Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M. Nazmul Hasan and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan. Why Turkey Struggled to Gain Ground in Bangladesh Under Sheikh Hasina? During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, Turkey did not get any chance to set its foot in the country. But now under the Mohammad Yunus-led government the country has a chance as he supports Erdogan's 'Caliphate rule'. The report states that Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), which is an apex investment promotion agency, is planning to set up defence industrial complexes in Chittagong and Narayanganj in collaboration with Turkish defence companies. Notably, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun recently completed a five-day trip to Turkey. During the visit, he held talks with major Turkish defence companies. It is worth mentioning that in recent years, Turkish companies have gained global recognition in drone technology, radar systems, missile development and aircraft manufacturing. Does Turkey Want To Be In A Position To Directly Challenge India? It is believed that Pakistan's friend Turkey, by setting up defence factories in Bangladesh, wants to be in a position to directly challenge India. The Middle East country also wants to sell its defence materials in Asia and African countries. Bangladesh also wants aerospace collaboration with Turkey. Following a meeting between Bangladeshi Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohammad Tauhid Hussain and Turkish Aerospace Chief Mehmet Demirolu at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April 2025, Mohammad Yunus is pursuing an aerospace agreement with Ankara. During the meeting, both the sides possibilities of cooperation in the field of advanced fighter aircraft, training aircraft and satellite systems. Does Bangladesh Want To Become Turkey's Strategic Partner? Bangladesh's evolving relationship with Turkey signals a shift beyond a simple buyer-seller dynamic towards a strategic partnership. This development, alongside China's growing influence, suggests Turkey aims to exert pressure on India through Bangladesh. Furthermore, the involvement of the United States in a potential plan to separate Myanmar into a Christian state, with Bangladesh's possible assistance, indicates Bangladesh is becoming a key player in regional geopolitical manoeuvring. This situation raises concerns that Bangladesh could become a battleground for competing global interests, potentially exploited by nations opposed to India.
India.com
21-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
India to prepare for 3.5 front war as Pakistan, China, Bangladesh hold secret meeting in Kunming... what are they planning?
India to prepare for 3.5 front war as Pakistan, China, Bangladesh hold secret meeting in Kunming... what are they planning? In the rapidly changing geopolitics, India's security concerns are now taking a new form. Now is not the time when there was a threat on the borders only from Pakistan and China. The '2.5 front war' that General Bipin Rawat talked about a decade ago, now seems to be changing into a '3.5 front war'. The reason for this is the first trilateral meeting of Pakistan, China and Bangladesh in Kunming city of China recently. This meeting between officials of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh on June 19 was for the first time, but its message was big. China's Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladesh's Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddiqui and Pakistan's Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui attended the meeting. Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch participated through video link. The meeting was called 'Development Friendly Trilateral Dialogue', but its diplomatic meaning goes far beyond this. The statement issued after the meeting talked about 'people centric development in the South Asian region'. But given Bangladesh's executive leadership and its recent closeness with China, for India it seems more like a strategic alignment than diplomacy. Why is India's concern about Bangladesh increasing? In March 2025, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Prof. Mohammad Yunus, during his visit to China, described Bangladesh as a political and economic partner of China. He had said that China should make way through Bangladesh to reach the market of Northeast India. This was the statement after which India banned Bangladesh's textile products on 17 May. Bangladesh was considered a strategic friend of India as long as Sheikh Hasina was the Prime Minister. However, after Hasina's coup, the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus has increased its closeness with Pakistan and China. What is the danger of a 3.5 front war? General Bipin Rawat, while talking about '2.5 front war', had said that India will have to face the challenge of terrorism and internal security along with China and Pakistan. But now this equation seems to be changing after seeing the role of Bangladesh. Rakhine Corridor: Another emerging tension zone The Rohingya crisis was discussed in the recent talks between Bangladesh and America. Along with this, Bangladesh's National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman has advocated a 'humanitarian corridor' to Myanmar's Rakhine province. This area is very sensitive from a strategic point of view for India, China and Bangladesh. America is also now showing interest in this area. India must be prepared India will have to understand the new realities by leaving behind its strategic perspective. It will have to take the issues related to Bangladesh more seriously on both diplomatic and defence fronts. Along with this, it will be necessary to strengthen connectivity, economic blockade and border monitoring in Northeast India. '3.5 Front War' is no longer a fantasy, but an emerging reality. And India will have to be prepared for it.
