No rift with India: Bangladesh’s Yunus dismisses concerns, blames "propaganda"

Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has dismissed concerns that ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have deteriorated. In an interview with BBC Bangla, he asserted that the two nations remain "historically, politically and economically" connected and that their relationship is fundamentally strong.

"Some conflicts had been seen mid-way. I would say, some clouds were seen. These clouds mostly came through propaganda. Others will judge the sources," Yunus said, addressing concerns over diplomatic friction. However, he assured that efforts were being made to overcome any misunderstandings. "There is no problem in our basic relationship (with India)," he added.

India's Concerns Over Attacks on Hindus

Since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August last year, India has raised concerns over reported attacks on Hindu minorities, temples, and businesses in Bangladesh. The unrest followed mass protests that led to Hasina’s removal after a 16-year rule. The Indian government has expressed repeated concerns over these incidents, though Yunus has denied that the situation represents a broader breakdown in relations.

Interdependence and Diplomatic Engagement

Yunus emphasised the deep-rooted ties between Bangladesh and India, saying, "There is no alternative to maintaining good relations... no scope of deviating from them." He highlighted the "huge interdependence" between the two neighbours and stressed that diplomatic engagement remains active.

"There has been continuous communication. They come here, and our people go there. I spoke to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi in my first week (in power) itself," he said, without elaborating on the specifics of their discussions.

Sheikh Hasina’s Exile and Bangladesh’s Extradition Request

Sheikh Hasina, 77, has been living in India since her government was toppled last year. She fled Bangladesh citing threats to her life and has vowed to return to "avenge the killings" she claims were carried out during her removal from power.

Bangladesh has formally requested India's assistance in extraditing Hasina to face charges of "crimes against humanity and genocide." A senior official in the Yunus administration confirmed that a diplomatic message had been sent in December, seeking her custody. Days later, India acknowledged receiving the request but did not disclose any further details.

Elections and Political Developments

Meanwhile, political uncertainty looms in Bangladesh. Various parties have called for early elections and a transition to democratic governance. Yunus has suggested that elections could take place by late 2025 but has clarified that he has no intention of contesting.

As the interim government continues to navigate political and diplomatic challenges, the future of Bangladesh-India relations remains closely watched. Whether the two countries can fully overcome their recent tensions remains to be seen.