The previous head of government resigned on August 5 as a result of the mass uprising of students and the public. The interim government formed through this completed 100 days on November 15. During this time, the achievements and successes of this government in diplomatic fields such as various ministries and departments are being analyzed.
Analysts say, “The interim government led by Dr. Yunus has already formed 11 commissions to repair the state and administration by giving importance to the hopes and aspirations of the people. The commissions will start their work soon. Dr. Yunus, after taking charge of the country, is continuing to make efforts to develop the country by utilizing the recognition and reputation he has in the world. In the meantime, the heads of state and government of many important countries in world politics, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Pakistan, have expressed their full support for Yunus and announced to work together to move Bangladesh forward. Analysts see this as a major success of the government in diplomacy.”
In the three months of the government’s tenure, various international organizations and countries have promised to provide Bangladesh with about $13.5 billionin loan assistance.
In the United States, Dr. Yunus and World Bank President Ajay Banga agreed to provide Bangladesh with $3.5 billion in loan assistance for its reform costs. The IsDB will provide a loan of $4 billion to $5 billion to Bangladesh under a package over the next three years.
In addition, the ADB will provide a loan of $400 million to Bangladesh as budget support by December. The organization will provide $500 million for reforms in several other sectors, including banking. This will be available by March 2025. All these are being considered as part of diplomatic success.
In this regard, Foreign Affairs Advisor Tauhid Hossain said, “The main objective of the interim government is to ensure a fair democratic environment. We still do not know clearly how long it will take. And Bangladesh’s diplomacy is always positive. We want to maintain good relations with everyone.
We want to maintain a balance in relations where necessary. We are working accordingly.”
Dr. Yunus’s effective leadership and image benefits
Dr. Yunus broke all the conventions of the United Nations and met with the US President during the General Assembly. Yunus’ bilateral meeting has taken Bangladesh to a unique height. After Biden’s meeting, other influential countries of the world have also expressed their support and cooperation for Yunus. Behind such interest of world leaders is mainly Dr. Yunus’s skillful leadership and the role of the interim government.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, former US President Bill Clinton also met Dr. Yunus and heard about the barbaric genocide organized in Bangladesh. The heads of the European Union, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund have also assured their cooperation in the development of Bangladesh. Analysts believe that Bangladesh is showing diplomatic success mainly because of the skillful leadership of the Nobel laureate professor.
Meanwhile, instructions have also been given to diplomats to utilize the reputation of Dr. Muhammad Yunus as a chief advisor. Foreign Affairs Advisor M Touhid Hossain has already held meetings with diplomats from various missions in Bangladesh. In the meeting, he instructed to use Yunus’s reputation in diplomacy. The country’s diplomats are working accordingly. Those concerned believe that the global fame of this Nobel laureate economist is also bringing benefits in the diplomatic arena.
Diplomatic success at UN session
The UN General Assembly session is a place for multilateral discussions. Apart from Dr. Yunus’ bilateral meeting with the US President, analysts believe that Bangladesh has achieved a lot at the UN session this time. Due to Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s personal image and recognition alone, bilateral discussions have been more than multilateral discussions at this year’s UN General Assembly session. Bangladesh has attracted more attention from different countries of the world this time than at any other time. It is believed that this has also helped improve Bangladesh’s image.
Incidentally, Professor Muhammad Yunus joined the 79th UN General Assembly on September 24 after the formation of the interim government. This was the Chief Advisor’s first foreign visit.
Chief Advisor’s strong presence at COP conference
The presence of the government’s Chief Advisor was also notable at this year’s COP-29 Global Climate Change Summit held in Baku. Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus met at least 25 world leaders at the conference. Diplomats see this as positive for Bangladesh. At the conference, Dr. Muhammad Yunus spoke about his dream ‘Three Zero’ model. Bangladesh’s climate change update, Bangladesh’s damage due to climate change, and what we can do with other countries of the world were discussed.
British Minister of State’s visit to Dhaka
UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Affairs Catherine West has arrived in Dhaka for a two-day visit. During the visit, she will pay courtesy calls on the Chief Advisor and Foreign Affairs Advisor. It is expected that the British Minister of State’s visit to Dhaka will strengthen relations between Bangladesh and the UK by strengthening the economic, strategic and migration partnership.
Regarding his visit, Tawfiq Hasan, Director General of the Public Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “One of the goals of his visit is to strengthen relations between Bangladesh and the UK by strengthening the economic, strategic and migration partnership.”
Meanwhile, Catherine West has met separately with the Chief Adviser and the Foreign Affairs Adviser. She expressed the UK’s full support for the interim government led by Dr. Yunus.
Bringing back Bangladeshis from Lebanon
The Israeli attack on Lebanon began immediately after the formation of the interim government. Then, initiatives were taken to bring back Bangladeshis from there. A total of 615 Bangladeshis have been brought back from Lebanon in 10 flights so far with the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut and the International Organization for Migration. More Bangladeshis will return from there in phases.
Strengthening relations with Brazil
Recently, 3 cooperation agreements on agriculture, defense and sports were concluded between Bangladesh and Brazil. In addition, 12 more agreements are under negotiation with Brazil on double taxation, ICT, economic and trade dialogue, agricultural research, sugar and food industry, health, trade, air services, direct shipping services, strategic studies, disaster management, mitigation and resilience, and culture.
Some more diplomatic developments
Director General of the People’s Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tawfiq Hasan, said that the current government has completed several significant activities diplomatically during this period. Bangladesh recently received a proposal from Argentina on cooperation related to microfinance. In addition, discussions are ongoing with Argentina on 3 more agreement proposals on double taxation, cotton-related cooperation, and trade facilitation. On November 4, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, Park Young-sik, paid a courtesy call on the Chief Advisor. There, the two countries discussed the huge potential for mutual cooperation and partnership.
Malaysian Prime Minister’s Dhaka Visit
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Dhaka on October 4. This was the first visit of a foreign head of government to Dhaka during this government. The Malaysian Prime Minister led a 58-member delegation consisting of MPs and top trade representatives on his Bangladesh visit.
A Malaysian Prime Minister visited Bangladesh after almost 11 years. The last time the then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak visited Dhaka on an official visit was in November 2013. During his Dhaka visit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed a message of advancing the relations between the two countries.
Australian Home Minister’s Visit
A high-level delegation led by Australian Home Minister Tony Berg visited Bangladesh from October 31 to November 1. During the visit, the delegation met with the Chief Advisor, Foreign Affairs Advisor, Home Affairs Advisor, and Cultural Advisor. Various bilateral issues were discussed between the two sides. Two agreements were also signed between Bangladesh and Australia.
Advisor-Secretary’s visit
The Foreign Affairs Advisor of the interim government, Towhid Hossain, has already visited countries such as the United States, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Samoa, etc. He participated in various conferences in these countries and conveyed the message of relations and also highlighted Bangladesh’s position on various issues.
The Foreign Affairs Advisor attended the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At the conference, he reiterated the strong position of the government and people of Bangladesh in favor of the just demands of the Palestinian people and for an independent sovereign Palestinian state. In addition, Foreign Secretary M. Jasim Uddin has visited the United States and Russia.
Bangladesh-EU Meeting
The first explanatory meeting to start the discussions on the proposed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement-PCA between Bangladesh and the European Union was held in Dhaka on November 5-6. In this meeting, initial introductory discussions were held on the areas of cooperation mentioned in the proposed agreement. Explanations were given about various terminology used in particular. The signing of this agreement is expected to add a new dimension to the relationship between Bangladesh and the European Union and elevate it to a strategic level.
‘New turning point’ in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations
Bangladesh-Pakistan relations have been the most discussed during the current government. Although they used to go through a third country earlier, this is the first time since the war of independence that a cargo ship has come directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh. The ship departed from Karachi on November 13 and anchored at the Chittagong port. The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has described the incident as the first direct maritime connection between the two countries.
Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof described the incident as a major step in bilateral trade. However, Indian security forces are deeply concerned about the arrival of ships from Pakistan to Bangladesh. Indian media outlet Telegraph India reported this information in a report on November 15.
Dhaka-Delhi relations
During the interim government’s tenure, tensions have arisen between Dhaka and Delhi on various issues. The current Indian government is in a state of tension with the current government over various issues, especially ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s asylum in India, flood waters, border killings, provocative statements by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, minority persecution, Hilsa export, etc.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that strong dissatisfaction has been expressed to the country several times over the political statements and statements made by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India, “We have called on India to stop her.”
Signing of International Convention Against Enforced Disappearances
Bangladesh has formally joined the International Convention against Enforced Disappearances. On August 29, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government, signed the convention. As a result, the interim government of Bangladesh is on the path to fulfilling its commitment to upholding the human rights of its citizens by breaking away from the culture of state-sponsored enforced disappearances. Such a move by the government is being seen as a milestone in the security of its citizens.
