Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has stated that Bangladesh will initiate the process to extradite ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly fled to India. He emphasized that Delhi must return Hasina to face trial. However, the Chief Advisor acknowledged that he has no objection to the Awami League participating in the upcoming elections.
The interim government has submitted a request to Interpol to assist in bringing Sheikh Hasina back. When asked why a formal request hasn’t been made to India despite the extradition treaty between the two nations, Dr. Yunus responded, “I believe we are following the legal process, but we have not yet reached that stage.”
When questioned about whether Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India complicates bilateral relations, Dr. Yunus replied, “Her residence in India isn’t currently the issue. The problem lies in her active political communication with the Bangladeshi people, which is taking a political shape. She continues her political activities, and that is the real concern.”
Dr. Yunus further alleged that Sheikh Hasina has been encouraging protests on the streets of Dhaka and other cities. “Her speeches are being broadcast, urging people to take to the streets. She has even suggested using Donald Trump as a shield to create the impression that the Bangladesh government is acting against the United States. This is interference in both domestic and international matters,” he added.
When asked about the Awami League’s eligibility to participate in the elections, Dr. Yunus stated, “This has already been announced. We do not want to decide the fate of political parties. The BNP has made it clear that all political parties should participate in the elections. We cannot ignore the opinion of a major political party.”
On whether he has any objection to the Awami League contesting in the elections, the Chief Advisor remarked, “I am not a politician to pick one party over another. My role is to implement the decisions of the political leadership.”
When asked about how the events of August 5 have affected India-Bangladesh relations, Dr. Yunus said, “As a friendly nation, India should celebrate that Bangladesh has been freed from a regime where people suffered extreme hardships. Many lives were lost, many disappeared, and institutions were destroyed. Our young generation is celebrating, and India should join in the celebration as other nations have.”
Since taking on the role of Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus has spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone but has not yet met him in person. Explaining this, Dr. Yunus said, “Yes, it hasn’t happened yet. When I attended the UN General Assembly, Modi had already left. I went to the climate summit in Baku, but Modi wasn’t there. The BIMSTEC meeting (in Thailand) was canceled, and neither of us attended the Commonwealth meeting. However, this doesn’t mean we won’t meet.”
Dr. Yunus concluded, “We are not just neighbors; history binds us. Geography unites us. Linguistic ties connect us. Cultural bonds bring us together. From day one, I proposed to Prime Minister Modi that SAARC should be revitalized. Why should it remain a defunct organization? I even suggested that SAARC leaders hold a five-minute meeting in New York to initiate progress.”
Source: Ittefaq
