Diplomatic Shakeup: Bangladesh Recalibrates Foreign Relations Under Muhammad Yunus
Image Source: The Economic Times
Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus-led government has ordered five envoys to return to Dhaka immediately, the Bangla daily Prothom Alo reported. The recall of key diplomats from Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi, and the United Nations suggests a broad restructuring of Bangladesh’s diplomatic corps under the interim government.
The major diplomatic reshuffle follows the recall of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner to Britain, who was asked to return in a similar way. These also include Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner to India; Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York; Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Ambassador to Belgium; M Allama Siddiqui, High Commissioner to Australia; and Rezina Ahmed, Ambassador to Portugal.
The tension between Bangladesh and India has appeared since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, who on August 5 resigned and fled to India after facing widespread student-led protests. Given India’s longstanding role as an ally to Hasina’s administration, her exile in India suggests that New Delhi may not be on friendly terms with Yunus’ interim government. Recalling the ambassador to India specifically could signal Yunus’ dissatisfaction with India’s stance or an effort to recalibrate the diplomatic relationship.
The political unrest in Bangladesh that led to Hasina’s resignation and Yunus’ appointment on August 8 is rooted in widespread protests, initially sparked by frustration over a controversial job quota system. The protests then evolved into a broader movement against systemic corruption and authoritarian governance.
Domestically, the interim government aims to address the protests and unrest that toppled the previous government. Internationally, it seems to be signaling changes in Bangladesh’s foreign policy, particularly in its relationships with major partners like India, while attempting to establish a new diplomatic identity under Yunus’ leadership.
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