DHAKA, Nov 19 (Alliance News): Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed hope for stronger relations with the United States, despite criticism from President-elect Donald Trump regarding violence against minorities in the Muslim-majority nation.
In an interview with The Hindu newspaper, Yunus, referring to Trump’s victory in the recent US presidential election, stated, “Foreign policies don’t usually change because of a change in the president.”
He highlighted the long-standing “very good relationship” between Bangladesh and the US, expressing optimism that it would continue to strengthen.
Trump had condemned the violence against minorities in Bangladesh in an October post on social media, calling it “barbaric” and accusing the country of being in a “total state of chaos.” His remarks were in response to the spate of attacks on Hindus, Christians, and other religious minorities.
Bangladesh’s neighbor, India, with its strong cultural and business ties to Bangladesh, has also voiced concern over the recent violence, particularly against the Hindu minority.
Protests in Bangladesh, which began in July over public sector job quotas, escalated into some of the deadliest unrest since the nation’s independence in 1971, with an estimated 1,500 people killed.
Yunus, who assumed leadership of Bangladesh’s caretaker government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in August amid violent protests, dismissed reports of atrocities against minorities as propaganda. He emphasized that his government was taking legal steps to demand Hasina’s extradition from India.
Yunus also expressed hope that Bangladesh and India could strengthen their ties, describing the two nations as “twins born to be together” and advocating for a relationship similar to the European Union, with freedom of movement and trade.
He added that he hopes to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss future cooperation.
