India questions good faith of Bangladesh interim regime after Yunus' press secretary creates controversy

The remarks by Press secretary of Muhammad Yunus following talks between PM Narendra Modi and Chief Adviser claiming that the Indian leader undermined former PM Sheikh Hasina and stated that he has no negative views about her extradition call into question both the seriousness and the good faith of the interim government.

With regard to remarks by the Press Secretary to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, sources dismissed the account as mischievous and politically motivated.

Modi spoke of the progress in bilateral relationship since 2014 and characterized it as a deep friendship between our societies and people.


Sources noted that the characterisation of Modi's remarks regarding the relationship between Yunus and the previous government was also inaccurate.

Modi also mentioned the importance of elections as the basis of legitimacy in any democracy. A continued procrastination in this regard would damage the Chief Advisor’s reputation.

The Bangladeshi contention that attacks on minorities were a social media concoction was dismissed as being in contradiction of facts on the ground.

On various specific issues raised by the Chief Advisor, Modi told him that this was best discussed by the Foreign Ministers. There is no basis for the observation made by the Press Secretary on the extradition request.

Modi had very clear message on minority rights and called for avoidance of rhetoric when he met Yunus in Bangkok on Friday.