DHAKA: Dr Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim government chief on Wednesday said his country wants equitable relations with India and other neighboring countries but it should be on the basis of “fairness and equality”.
In a televised address, Muhammad Yunus said after he took oath as the head of the interim administration, he received congratulatory messages and calls from different heads of governments who promised to strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh.
Yunus, who assumed office on August 8 following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amidst widespread protests, stressed the importance of fairness and equality in international relations.
“We want good relations with India and other neighboring nations, but the relations must be based on fairness and equality,” Yunus said. His comments came after receiving congratulatory messages from various world leaders, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel laureate and renowned social entrepreneur, highlighted the beginning of “high-level” talks with India on flood management and expressed his intent to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to bolster regional cooperation.
The interim government has also taken significant steps toward reforming Bangladesh’s political and administrative systems. Yunus announced the formation of six commissions aimed at overhauling key sectors, including the electoral system, police administration, judiciary, anti-corruption commission, public administration, and the constitution.
These commissions are expected to start their work on October 1 and complete their tasks within three months.
In his speech, Yunus paid tribute to the victims of the recent protests and pledged support for their families. He condemned the previous government’s “tyranny, misrule, and corruption,” and announced plans to convert the official residence of the ousted Prime Minister Hasina, Ganobhaban, into a museum symbolizing the “centre-point of autocracy.”
Yunus praised the armed forces for their role in maintaining law and order and assisting during recent floods, and appreciated their support in protecting the country’s sovereignty. He also highlighted the interim government’s commitment to tackling enforced disappearances by forming a commission to investigate past abuses.
Yunus outlined efforts to stabilize the Bangladeshi currency and combat inflation, including measures to improve the forex reserve, renegotiate loan terms, and seek additional support from international financial institutions. The interim government has also halted ongoing negotiations and procurement processes in the power and energy sectors to address corruption.
Yunus urged all sectors of society to participate in the reform process, stating, “A nation’s reform cannot be done with the reform of the government alone.” He did not specify a timeline for his administration’s tenure but emphasized the need for patience and collective effort to achieve lasting change.
“We will carry on the reform works together,” Yunus said. “Be with us. We want to proceed afresh through reforms, ensuring that every sector contributes to the national goal of building a just and equitable society.”
