Bangladesh wanted good ties with India, but ‘something always went wrong': Yunus
Maddox referenced an informal diplomatic note issued to India seeking deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition and sought an update on the matter.
During an interaction with Chatham House think tank director Bronwen Maddox in London on Wednesday, Yunus addressed a wide range of issues including bilateral ties with India and the democratic roadmap for the country, starting with a 'July Charter' next month.
London, Jun 12 (PTI) Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that his interim government wanted good relations with India, but 'something always went wrong'.
'This will continue… we want the whole process to be very legal, very proper… We want to build the best of relationship with India. It's our neighbour, we don't want to have any kind of basic problem with them,' Yunus said.
'But somehow things go wrong every time because of all the fake news coming from the Indian press… and many people say it has connections with policymakers on the top,' he said.
'So, this is what makes Bangladesh very jittery, very, very angry. We try to get over this anger but a whole barrage of things keeps happening in cyberspace. We can't just get away from that… suddenly they say something, do something, anger comes back,' he said.
'This is our big task, to make sure we can have at least a peaceful life to go on with our life. To create the life we are dreaming of,' he added.
On an audience question about the 'unclear role of India' about Hasina, Yunus responded: 'All the anger (against Hasina) has now transferred to India because she went there.' 'When I had a chance to talk to Prime Minister Modi, I simply said: you want to host her, I cannot force you to abandon that policy. But please help us in making sure she doesn't speak to Bangladeshi people the way she is doing (online). She announces on such and such date, such and such hour, she will speak and the whole (of) Bangladesh gets very angry,' he said.
Yunus claimed Prime Minister Modi told him that Hasina's social media activities cannot be controlled.
'It's (an) explosive situation, you can't just walk away by saying it's the social media,' he added.
The close ties between India and Bangladesh came under strain after Hasina's ouster.
She faces multiple cases in Bangladesh after being ousted on August 5 last year following a major student-led agitation in the country, which forced her to flee Dhaka.
Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, who took over as the head of an interim government in Bangladesh in August last year, announced last week that national elections will be held by the first half of 2026.
Asked if he would consider being part of the elected government, Yunus replied: 'No way.' He arrived on Tuesday for a four-day visit to the UK, where he was greeted with protests by Hasina's Awami League party members in the UK. He is expected to meet King Charles III and senior members of the British government during the visit. PTI AK GRS GRS
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
During Janta Darshan, UP CM Yogi Adityanath helps get girl enrolled in school
CM Yogi holds Janta Darbar LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adiyanath Yogi organised a 'Janta Darshan' in Lucknow on Monday. At the Janta Darshan, a young girl named Vashi requested the CM to help get her enrolled in school. The CM interacted with her, asking which school she wanted to go to and which class she wanted to enrol in. He later instructed the officials to get the young girl enrolled in her desired school. Vashi, who met CM Yogi Adityanath , narrated the entire interaction and said, "I met Yogi ji. I asked him to enrol me in a school. He said he would do it." "I have come from Moradabad. He gave me a biscuit and chocolate", Vashi added further. Since Yogi Adityanath became the CM of Uttar Pradesh, he frequently organises 'Janta Darshan', where he listens to the grievances of people and solves them. Earlier, CM Yogi inaugurated the 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway built for Rs 7,283 crore, connecting several districts to Gorakhpur, including Azamgarh. The CM said that the new Uttar Pradesh of the new India is making its new identity as the "expressway state." Addressing a gathering, Chief Minister Yogi said, "The new Uttar Pradesh of the new India is making its new identity as the 'express-way state. "The inauguration of the 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway is a historic moment for eastern Uttar Pradesh. Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , Uttar Pradesh is taking new heights of development, confidence and glory with the largest expressway network in the country," said CM Yogi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Critising the previous state government, CM Yogi Adityanath said that the work of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway was half done, but during his tenure, projects related to six expressways in the state have been completed. "The work on the Agra Lucknow Expressway was half done. Today, I am happy to tell you that we have completed six projects. You are witnessing the journey of the Purvanchal Expressway. We have been continuously building it since 2021. In 2022, the Bundelkhand Expressway was started. It is 300 km long. The 340 km long Purvanchal Expressway has already been completed, and its connectivity to Patna is about to be completed. Now remember how easy the connectivity from Patna to Lucknow and Lucknow to Delhi will become", CM Yogi said. He stated that the 340 km-long Purvanchal Expressway is about to extend its connectivity to Patna. He called freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh and said that if the Purvanchal Expressway had been built in 1857, India would have become independent at that time. "When Veer Kunwar Singh, the hero of the first war of independence in 1857, fought the British till Azamgarh to defeat them, there was no connectivity. If this Purvanchal Expressway had been there at that time, the people of Azamgarh would have beaten the British along with Veer Kunwar Singh, and then this country would have become independent in 1857 itself. There was no connectivity at that time", he added.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Pakistan politicians, others ask govt to review Trump's nomination for Nobel Peace Prize
Several Pakistani politicians and notable figures have asked the government to reconsider its decision to recommend President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize after the U.S. bombed Iran's three nuclear sites. The government, in a surprise move on Friday (June 20, 2025), announced that it would nominate Mr. Trump for the prestigious award due to his peacemaking efforts during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. A letter of recommendation, signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has already been sent to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in Norway. But the decision came under scrutiny after the U.S. bombed Iran's Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, joining Israel to dent Tehran's nuclear programme. The Dawn newspaper reported that some leading politicians demanded the government review its decision in light of the latest development. Veteran politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who heads the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), demanded that the government rescind its decision. 'President Trump's claim of peace has proven to be false; the proposal for the Nobel Prize should be withdrawn,' Mr. Fazl told workers at a party meeting in Murree on Sunday (June 22, 2025). He said that Mr. Trump's recent meeting and lunch with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir 'pleased Pakistani rulers so much' that they recommended nominating the U.S. President for the Nobel Prize. "Mr. Trump has supported the Israeli attacks on Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iran. How can this be a sign of peace?' Mr. Fazl questioned. 'With the blood of Afghans and Palestinians on America's hands, how can he claim to be a proponent of peace?' Mr. Trump had campaigned for office as a 'peacemaker' who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but both conflicts are still raging five months into his presidency. Former Senator Mushahid Hussain wrote on X: 'Since Mr. Trump is no longer a potential peacemaker, but a leader who has willfully unleashed an illegal war, Pakistan government must now review, rescind and revoke his Nobel nomination!' He said Mr. Trump had been 'trapped by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) and the Israeli war lobby, committing the" biggest blunder of his presidency'. 'Mr. Trump will now end up presiding over the decline of America!' Mr. Trump 'engaged in deception and betrayed his own promise not to start new wars', Mr. Mushahid said in another post, strongly condemning the U.S. attacks on Iran. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan wrote 'reconsider' on his X account, highlighting the 'U.S. attack on Iran and continuous U.S. support of Israeli killings in Gaza'. In a separate post, the Opposition PTI condemned the 'unprovoked' U.S. strikes and voiced 'total support' for Iran's sovereignty. Raoof Hasan, head of PTI's political think-tank, said the government's decision was now a 'cause of unmitigated shame and embarrassment for those who were instrumental in making the choice'.'That's why it is said that legitimacy can neither be bought nor gifted,' said Mr. Hasan, as he took a jibe at the government. He also denounced the U.S.' 'total disregard for international covenants' through attacks on Iran. Former Senator Afrasiab Khattak said, 'The sycophancy adopted by the Pakistani ruling elite in nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize is not part of normative conduct in international diplomacy.''It was most embarrassing to announce the nomination hours before Mr. Trump ordered to bomb Iranian nuclear sites,' the veteran politician noted. Jamaat-i-Islami chief Naeemur Rehman has said the decision 'undermines our national dignity and grace'. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's former Ambassador to the U.S., termed the move 'unfortunate' and said it did not reflect the public's views. Senior journalist Mariana Baabar, in a post on X, said that 'today Pakistan does not look too good either', sharing the government's post announcing its intention to nominate mR. Trump for the Nobel. Author and activist Fatima Bhutto asked: 'Will Pakistan withdraw its nomination for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize?'
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Pakistani politicians, activists call on govt to review Trump's nomination for Nobel peace prize
Several Pakistani politicians and notable figures have asked the government to reconsider its decision to recommend President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize after the US bombed Iran's three nuclear sites. Pakistan said it would support US President Donald Trump's nomination for a Nobel peace prize(AP) The government, in a surprise move on Friday, announced that it would nominate Trump for the prestigious award due to his peacemaking efforts during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. A letter of recommendation, signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, has already been sent to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in Norway. But the decision came under scrutiny after the US bombed Iran's Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, joining Israel to dent Tehran's nuclear programme. Also Read: Pakistan condemns US strike on Iran day after nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize The Dawn newspaper reported that some leading politicians demanded the government review its decision in light of the latest development. Veteran politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who heads the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), demanded that the government rescind its decision. 'President Trump's claim of peace has proven to be false; the proposal for the Nobel Prize should be withdrawn,' Fazl told workers at a party meeting in Murree on Sunday. He said that Trump's recent meeting and lunch with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir 'pleased Pakistani rulers so much' that they recommended nominating the US president for the Nobel Prize. "Trump has supported the Israeli attacks on Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iran. How can this be a sign of peace?' Fazl questioned. 'With the blood of Afghans and Palestinians on America's hands, how can he claim to be a proponent of peace?' Trump had campaigned for office as a 'peacemaker' who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but both conflicts are still raging five months into his presidency. Former senator Mushahid Hussain wrote on X: 'Since Trump is no longer a potential peacemaker, but a leader who has willfully unleashed an illegal war, Pakistan government must now review, rescind and revoke his Nobel nomination!' He said Trump had been 'trapped by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war lobby, committing the" biggest blunder of his presidency'. 'Trump will now end up presiding over the decline of America!' Trump 'engaged in deception and betrayed his own promise not to start new wars', Mushahid said in another post, strongly condemning the US attacks on Iran. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan wrote 'reconsider' on his X account, highlighting the 'US attack on Iran and continuous US support of Israeli killings in Gaza'. In a separate post, the Opposition PTI condemned the 'unprovoked' US strikes and voiced 'total support' for Iran's sovereignty. Raoof Hasan, head of PTI's political think-tank, said the government's decision was now a 'cause of unmitigated shame and embarrassment for those who were instrumental in making the choice'. 'That's why it is said that legitimacy can neither be bought nor gifted,' said Hasan, as he took a jibe at the government. He also denounced the US' 'total disregard for international covenants' through attacks on Iran. Former senator Afrasiab Khattak said, 'The sycophancy adopted by the Pakistani ruling elite in nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize is not part of normative conduct in international diplomacy.' 'It was most embarrassing to announce the nomination hours before Trump ordered to bomb Iranian nuclear sites,' the veteran politician noted. Jamaat-i-Islami chief Naeemur Rehman has said the decision 'undermines our national dignity and grace'. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, termed the move 'unfortunate' and said it did not reflect the public's views. Senior journalist Mariana Baabar, in a post on X, said that 'today Pakistan does not look too good either', sharing the government's post announcing its intention to nominate Trump for the Nobel. Author and activist Fatima Bhutto asked: 'Will Pakistan withdraw its nomination for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize?'
