Latest news with #MuhammadYunus'
News18
20-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Under The Shadow Of Western Disturbances, India-Bangladesh Friendship Falters
Last Updated: The unfolding geo-political situation has made the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations more strained than ever before in the past decade A series of trade crackdowns on Bangladesh—from the trans-shipment facility shutdown to the ban on key imports through land ports—is more than just economic retaliation. With Muhammad Yunus' regime taking repeated swipes at India's northeast, Pakistan sending high-level military and ministerial delegations to Dhaka, and China circling closer, the message is unmissable. In addition to that, a subtle but strategic prodding from the exiled Awami League leadership throws emerging complex questions—Is Bangladesh's interim regime testing how far it can push India before ties rupture completely? Or Is India done with addressing Bangladesh as the 'friendly' neighbour? Even as foreign policy experts and senior diplomats who served in Bangladesh weigh in, it appears that the unfolding geo-political situation has made the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations more strained than ever before in the past decade. Many see the bilateral trade-related actions by Indian government as moves 'laden with economic and geopolitical implications". A senior diplomat, who served in Bangladesh, said: 'The trade relations between India and Bangladesh are not just about economic interests. It is crucial for South-East Asia's stability and unity. This also leads to progress and development for both nations. However, the interim government in Bangladesh has been taking certain policy decisions and supporting an international narrative which is not conducive to stable bilateral relations." Beyond Trade, Ties Fraying Fast Apart from trade ties, India and Bangladesh witnessed multiple collaborations on several fronts, including power, railways, and culture. According to a ministry of commerce document, the 15th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade (JWG) between India and Bangladesh took place on September 26 and 27, 2023, in Dhaka. 'The discussions covered a range of bilateral issues, including the elimination of port restrictions, preparations for the initiation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), standard harmonisation, mutual recognition of standards, the supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh, the enhancement of road and rail infrastructure, regional connectivity through multi-modal transportation, and the establishment and strengthening of infrastructure in Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts, border Haats and so one," said a review report by the IBEF. However, since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime, all such efforts are now almost suspended. Senior diplomats said the foreign policy decisions would remain 'unpredictable" until the country elects its government. In April 2023, India and Bangladesh also agreed to settle a part of the bilateral trade transactions in their own currencies—Rupee and Taka—to ease pressure on dollar holdings. Indian Railways, under grant assistance from the government of India, handed over 20 Broad Gauge (BG) diesel locomotives to Bangladesh, fulfilling an important earlier commitment. All such collaborations and goodwill movements are now almost on hold following the Bangladesh interim government's decisions. First Published: May 20, 2025, 09:27 IST
News18
19-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Muhammad Yunus's Adviser Says Bangladesh Open To Talks With India Amid Export Curbs
Last Updated: India's trade restrictions will impact $770 million, which amounts to nearly 42 per cent of total Bangladeshi imports. An adviser from Muhammad Yunus' interim government responded to India's restrictions on Bangladeshi exports via land ports, stating that Bangladesh is committed to resolving all pending trade issues with New Delhi. Sheikh Bashiruddin, the commerce adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, stated that no formal communication had been received from India regarding the trade restrictions. 'We do not know anything officially about India's steps yet. We will be able to take action after we know officially. If any problems arise, both sides will discuss and try to resolve them," he said. India has imposed a ban on importing several items from Bangladesh via road routes, including readymade garments, fruit-based and carbonated beverages, baked goods, snacks, confectionery, cotton waste, plastic products, and wooden furniture. This move follows Bangladesh's earlier decision to prohibit yarn imports from India by land. Additionally, India withdrew the trans-shipment facility that allowed Bangladeshi goods to be exported to third countries. These reciprocal trade measures have emerged amid rising diplomatic tensions, which were fueled by last year's ousting of Sheikh Hasina and reports of persecution against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. 'We have learned from social media and news that they (India) have taken some decisions regarding land ports, especially Akhaura and Dawki ports, and some border areas. Our main goal is to achieve competitiveness. This is a profitable matter for both countries", he added. 'We think that India itself is a rich country in the textile or clothing industry. Even then, when these products are exported from our country, it is based on our capabilities. We are not affected by trans-shipping. We have solved this problem on our own using our capabilities", the Adviser said. 'Since we are a geographically connected country, our competitiveness, transportation costs and other factors are fixed. In this regard, we impose restrictions on the import of our agricultural products at different times; India also does. This is a process of trade management, and we are working on that. If a problem arises or develops there, both parties will discuss and try to resolve it," Bashiruddin said. India's trade restrictions will impact $770 million, which amounts to nearly 42 per cent of total Bangladeshi imports. After India's retaliatory action, Bangladesh would have to export its ready-made garments in India through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports. (With ANI Inputs) First Published:
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus government said on India's trade curbs
Reacting to India's curbs on Bangladeshi exports through land ports, an adviser of Muhammad Yunus' interim government has said that the nation intends to resolve all outstanding trade issues with New Delhi. Sheikh Bashiruddin, commerce adviser of the Bangladesh interim government, claimed he hadn't received any official communique from the Indian government over the trade curbs. "We do not know anything officially about India's steps yet. We will be able to take action after we know officially. If any problems arise, both sides will discuss and try to resolve them,' he said. India has banned the imports of readymade garments, fruit/fruit-flavoured and carbonated drinks, baked goods, snacks, chips and confectionery, cotton and cotton yarn waste, plastic and PVC finished goods and wooden furniture from Bangladesh through road routes. Also read: New restrictions on imports from Bangladesh including ready-made garments Earlier, Bangladesh had banned the import of yarn from India by land route. India had also cancelled the trans-shipment facility for the export of goods from Bangladesh to third countries. The reciprocal trade restrictions came amid diplomatic tensions triggered by the ouster of Sheikh Hasina (the prime minister of Bangladesh at the time) from the country last year and the persecution of Hindu minorities. "We have learned from social media and news that they (India) have taken some decisions regarding land ports, especially Akhaura and Dawki ports, and some border areas. Our main goal is to achieve competitiveness. This is a profitable matter for both countries", he added. Also read: Bangladesh cannot assume India's northeast is a captive market "We think that India itself is a rich country in the textile or clothing industry. Even then, when these products are exported from our country, it is based on our capabilities. We are not affected by trans-shipping. We have solved this problem on our own using our capabilities", the Adviser said. 'Since we are a geographically connected country, our competitiveness, transportation costs and other factors are fixed. In this regard, we impose restrictions on the import of our agricultural products at different times; India also does. This is a process of trade management, and we are working on that. If a problem arises or develops there, both parties will discuss and try to resolve it,' Bashiruddin said. Also read: Tougher checks await B'desh garments at Indian seaports India's trade restrictions will impact $770 million, which amounts to nearly 42 per cent of total Bangladeshi imports. After India's retaliatory action, Bangladesh would have to export its ready-made garments in India through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports. With inputs from ANI
News18
14-05-2025
- Business
- News18
After China, Bangladesh's Yunus Mentions India's Northeast States In Talks With Nepal
Last Updated: Muhammad Yunus said, "There should be an integrated economic plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters." Nobel laureate and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus proposed a comprehensive economic integration plan encompassing Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the seven northeastern states of India. During a meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives, who is currently visiting Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus underscored the potential of cross-border collaboration in sectors like hydropower, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. Stressing on the necessity of deeper regional ties through shared energy and infrastructure projects, he said, 'There should be an integrated economic plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters." The discussion focused on the enhancement of hydropower cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal as both sides acknowledged the significance of the recent Bangladesh-Nepal-India Tripartite Power Sales Agreement, which facilitates the import of 40MW of Nepalese hydropower to Bangladesh via the Indian grid. Beyond energy, Muhammad Yunus also highlighted Bangladesh's commitment to regional healthcare accessibility, noting that a forthcoming 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur would welcome patients from Nepal and Bhutan, promoting 'regional health security and shared prosperity." 'Our upcoming 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur will be open to patients from Nepal and Bhutan as well. We believe in regional health security and shared prosperity," he said. Muhammad Yunus' Earlier Comments On India And Seven Sisters During an earlier visit to China, Muhammad Yunus made a direct pitch to Beijing as he sought to position Bangladesh as your key regional partner for production, logistics and trade. 'Seven states of eastern India — the seven sisters — they are landlocked. They have no way to reach out to the ocean. We are the only guardian of the ocean," he said, inviting deeper Chinese economic engagement through Bangladesh. 'Build things, produce things, market things. Nepal has hydropower, Bhutan has hydropower, we can bring to our purpose. You can produce in Bangladesh and sell in China," he told officials. At the time, economist and member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Sanjeev Sanyal, questioned the logic behind invoking India's internal geography in an economic pitch to China. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are landlocked. China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?" Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 14, 2025, 08:25 IST
NDTV
04-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Suicidal Concept": Bangladeshi Islamists Protest Women's Rights Reforms
Dhaka: Thousands of Bangladeshis took to the streets of Dhaka on Saturday to oppose the government's proposed recommendations for ensuring equal rights, including ones related to property, for mainly Muslim women. The protest was called by Hefazat-e-Islam-- an influential Bangladeshi Islamist group-- claiming that some of the proposed recommendations hurt "the sentiments of the majority of the people of this country". Leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam group claimed that draft recommendations of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission instituted by the Muhammad Yunus' interim government are contradictory to Sharia law. The group threatened a nationwide protest on May 23 if the government didn't meet their demands. Over 20,000 followers of the group rallied near the Dhaka University, some carrying banners and placards reading "Say no to Western laws on our women, rise up Bangladesh", in one of their biggest public shows of strength in years as religious activism surged in Bangladesh following the ouster of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime last year. Protestors mostly included teachers and students of non-government or "kawmi" madrassas. Islamist groups in Bangladesh have increased their visibility since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster, and minority groups have complained of being intimidated. What Were The Demands The protestors mainly denounced proposed recommendations for ensuring equal rights, including ones related to property, for mainly Muslim women. Nayeb-e-Ameer or senior leader of the platform, Maulana Mahfuzul Huq, announced a 12-point charter of demands, with the first one being the abolition of the existing women reform commission and its members punished for the proposed changes, and constituting a new one comprising Islamic scholars and women representatives. He said the commission's proposed changes hurt "the sentiments of the majority of the people of this country" by labelling the religious laws of inheritance as the main cause of inequality between men and women. The group's leaders also demanded that the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad punus ban the Awami League party led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in August. Hasina's opponents accuse her government of killing hundreds of students and others during the uprising that ended her 15-year rule. Hasina has been in exile in India since her ouster. "Men and women can never be equal," a women's madrassa teacher, Mohammad Shihab Uddin, told the rally, adding that the Quran outlined specific codes of life for both genders and "there is no way we can go beyond that". The Hefazat called for reinstating "complete faith and trust in almighty Allah" in the constitution and asked the government to abandon the "suicidal concept" of pluralism and to protect what they said were the Muslims' faith and practices. The group also opposed the inclusion of terms such as "gender identity," "gender diversity," "gender equality," "gender discrimination," "third gender," and "other genders". It argued that these are used to promote LGBT and transgender inclusion under ambiguous slogans such as "Leave no one behind" and "inclusive" and feared that these ideas could lead to a "destructive, anti-religious pro-homosexual society". The Women's Affairs Reform Commission is one of the several commissions instituted by the interim government to carry out reform. It had recently submitted its recommendations to the government.
