Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina making political remarks from India is an “unfriendly gesture”, asserting that she must remain silent to prevent discomfort to both countries until Dhaka requests her extradition.
In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), published on Thursday (5 September), Dr Yunus expressed that Hasina should refrain from making comments while in India until Bangladesh requests her extradition.
He indicated that her continued presence in India and her occasional remarks from abroad are creating issues. Dr Yunus stressed that Hasina’s silence is necessary for maintaining diplomatic cordiality and averting further tension.
Dr Yunus also criticised India's portrayal of all political groups in Bangladesh, excluding Hasina’s Awami League, as Islamic extremists. He highlighted that India’s narrative must change to prevent misconceptions that Bangladesh would turn into an Afghanistan-like state without Hasina’s leadership.
He emphasised that the interim government is committed to delivering justice for the atrocities committed under Hasina’s regime and that bringing her back to Bangladesh is essential for this process.
Dr Yunus stated, "If she is not brought back, the people of Bangladesh will not find peace. The kind of atrocities she has committed must be judged openly here."
Regarding Bangladesh-India relations, Dr Yunus expressed a desire for strong bilateral ties but urged India to move beyond the narrative that only Hasina's leadership ensures stability in Bangladesh. He noted that India needs to update its view and see Bangladesh as a neighbouring country like any other.
Addressing recent concerns over alleged attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Dr Yunus dismissed these as mere excuses, arguing that depicting the situation in exaggerated terms is unjustified.
Dr Yunus stressed the need for cooperative efforts to improve the currently strained relations between the two nations and hinted at potential revisions of bilateral agreements, such as the transit and Adani power agreements, depending on their terms and practical implications.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has stated that should they come to power through elections, they would review and reassess the controversial Adani power deal signed during the Awami League's tenure, citing significant pressure on the Bangladeshi populace.
