Bangladesh Crisis: Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Thursday attended the swearing-in ceremony of the interim government in Bangladesh, with Muhammad Yunus as its head. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over the reins of Bangladesh as the head of the interim government amid the constitutional crisis that has pushed Bangladesh into a state of chaos.
Pranay Verma attending the swearing-in ceremony reflects India’s willingness to work with the new government and ensure peace in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, extended his wishes to the interim government and Muhammad Yunus. “My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities,” he said in an X post.
Pranay Verma’s attendance assumes even more importance in the wake of China trying to forge relations with the new government. Barely a month ago, Sheikh Hasina visited Beijing in an attempt to boost ties between the two nations. Her visit marked a significant milestone in Bangladesh-China ties as the two nations stepped up their relation to “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”.
Now, China has said that it would not interfere in Bangladesh’s “internal affairs”. “”China values its relations with Bangladesh, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and further advance our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” Chinese state media China Global Television Network quoted a spokesperson as saying on Friday.
Following the ouster of the last Bangladesh Prime Minister, the country stepped into a state of lawlessness that saw rampant looting, vandalism, arson, murders, and targeting of the Hindu minority. PM Modi, while wishing Yunus, said that Hindus and other minorities must be protected. “We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development,” PM Modi said.
My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024
Yunus has said that his focus will be on restoring order in Bangladesh and meting out punishments for all the crimes. However, the task seems easier said than done as very few police personnel returned to duty after responding to the nationwide call for strike on August 6. Despite a call for return to duty by the police chiefs and RAB, police stations and outposts in Bangladesh remained mostly deserted.
