Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Bangladesh's interim Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has reiterated plans from his government to maintain healthy relations with diplomacy with India. While delivering a speech at Chatham House in London, he spoke about the importance of India’s relationship with Bangladesh highlighting India as a key neighbor.
Citing issues like fake news and online misinformation, he expressed frustration at why recent bilateral relations between the two countries seemed to have worsened.
In his remarks, he said, “obviously, they’re our neighbour. We don’t want to have a basic problem with them. But somehow things go wrong every time because of all the fake news.”
Yunus stated that cyberspace disinformation has made Bangladeshis 'jittery and angrier. He explained that there are problems when public outrage is incorrectly performed, even when there is a desire to maintain peace amidst turmoil.
He said, “Even if we try to remain peaceful, suddenly they say something, do something—and the anger comes back.” Describing digital spaces as the new frontiers of diplomacy, he emphasized the need for nations to reconsider how public sentiment is shaped.
Background: Power Shift and Regional Tensions
In August 2024, Muhammad Yunus became the head of the government from Sheikh Hasina due to a student uprising. Mukherjee has been using India as a refuge after which there was a rise in violence against Hindus residing in Bangladesh which worsened relations with India.
In May 2025, the government of Yunus issued a ban on the Awami League, claiming authoritarianism and rampant corrupt practices within the organization. In the meantime, the International Crimes Tribunal indicted Sheikh Hasina alongside two other individuals for purported mass murder during the 2024 protests.
Diplomatic Messages and Modi Dialogue
Yunus disclosed that he directly advised Prime Minister Modi that while India may host Hasina, she should not be making statements directed to Bangladeshis from Indian soil.
In spite of the underlying issues, both leaders exchanged Eid-ul-Adha greetings. Yunus accepted the wishing as acknowledgment of regional values by Modi.
General Elections Scheduled for April 2026
Ignoring the request by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for an early election, Yunus asserted that the national elections would be held in the first half of April 2026. As part of his statement, he mentioned that other political parties were already approached in regard to ensuring “the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history.”
The ongoing reforms in governance, justice, and electoral processes are expected to be completed by the time the polls are scheduled.
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