Bangladesh-India relations should be based on equity and fairness: Chief Adviser Yunus

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh interim government.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Sunday (September 8, 2024) stated that Bangladesh aims to maintain positive relations with India, emphasizing that it should be founded on fairness and equality.

Mr. Yunus, aged 84, made these comments during a meeting with students who were involved in the recent student-led revolution that led to the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as reported by the state-run BSS news agency.

“We must uphold good relations with India, but it must be based on fairness and equality,” quoted the chief adviser’s special assistant Mahfuj Alam.

Mr. Mahfuj, who addressed the media after the meeting, added that the chief adviser highlighted the importance of mutual respect and fairness in Bangladesh’s interactions with neighboring countries.

He emphasized the need to revitalize the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to promote regional cooperation.

The interim government led by Mr. Yunus was established shortly after Ms. Hasina’s resignation and departure to India on August 5, following widespread protests led by students against a controversial quota system in government positions.

Recently, Mr. Yunus expressed a desire for strong relations with India but insisted that India must move away from the notion that only Hasina’s leadership can ensure the country’s stability.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain expressed surprise at Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks on Sunday (September 8, 2024), stating that he does not foresee an immediate threat of conflict between the two countries.

“I am more surprised than worried. I fail to understand why he (Singh) made such statements… I see no basis for them,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry, responding to Mr. Singh’s comments.

During a joint commanders conference in Lucknow on Thursday (September 5, 2024), Mr. Singh urged military leaders to analyze the situations in Ukraine, Gaza, and Bangladesh to anticipate any potential issues and be prepared to handle unexpected challenges.