Muhammad Yunus reacts to deteriorating relations with India, says ‘India’s map is impossible…’

Muhammad Yunus, expressed personal distress over the deteriorating relations with India. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Yunus emphasized the importance of strong ties between the two neighbors.

Once considered close allies, India and Bangladesh are now going through one of the worst phases in their relationship. The situation began to deteriorate rapidly after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August last year. Following her exit as Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina moved to India, while Muhammad Yunus took charge in Bangladesh. This marked the beginning of strained ties between the two nations.

Yunus expresses regret over strained relations with India

Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, expressed personal distress over the deteriorating relations with India. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Yunus emphasized the importance of strong ties between the two neighbors. In an interview with Reuters, he stated, “India-Bangladesh relations should be as strong as possible. You cannot map India without mapping Bangladesh.”

Praise for China

Muhammad Yunus has also lauded China for its support to Bangladesh during challenging times. As inflation spirals in Bangladesh, the country has increasingly turned to China for assistance. Over the past three months, the nation has been grappling with skyrocketing prices, prompting the interim government to increase VAT.

This tax hike comes amidst ongoing economic challenges, including a food inflation rate of around 13%. The Bangladeshi government claims that the increased VAT will generate approximately 12,000 crore Bangladeshi taka in revenue.

Criticism of Sheikh Hasina’s economic policies

Yunus took aim at the economic achievements claimed by Sheikh Hasina’s administration, dismissing them as fraudulent. He argued that the economic growth during her tenure was exaggerated, saying, “The claims about Bangladesh’s economic growth under Sheikh Hasina were entirely fake. The current state of the economy is a lesson for the world. She said, ‘Our growth rate is the best,’ but it was all fabricated.”

The strained relations, coupled with Yunus’s comments and shifting alliances, highlight the complex and changing dynamics in South Asia.