United Nations: Talks between US President Joe Biden and Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Bangladesh government on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York were bilateral in nature and the ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi during August 2024 revolution, did not figure in their talks, a Bangladeshi official said.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Dr Yunus stated that the two leaders did not discuss Sheikh Hasina during the meeting. Sheikh Hasina has reportedly alleged the US for her ouster.
Earlier, Washington stated that it had no role in ousting the former prime minister, who quit her office and fled Dhaka for New Delhi, calling accusations of Washington’s interference ” false.”
Alam said that during the talks between Dr Yunus and President Biden, the latter offered his complete support to the South Asian nation.
Dr Younus was appointed as the country’s “chief advisor” in August after the bloody, student-led movement that removed Sheikh Hasina. Dr Yunus has demanded India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. Alam said that professor is a well-known person in the US, saying he has won several awards in the United States and he has friends in the US political parties.
The press secretary said that the two leaders discussed the movement which toppled the former government and the cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Bangladeshi officials to media later, Dr Yunus briefed President Biden on how the students rose against the tyranny of the former government and gave their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild the country.
The White House stated that President Biden congratulated Dr Yunus on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government. Biden welcomed further engagement between the two sides and offered continued Washington’s support as Dhaka implements its new reform agenda.
