Interim Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, has reiterated his government’s intention to foster strong and stable relations with India, while acknowledging persistent challenges stemming from disinformation and regional distrust.
“We want to build the best relationship with India. They’re our neighbour. We don’t want to have a basic problem with them,” Yunus said during a recent press interaction. However, he expressed concern over the recurrent spread of fake news, which he believes continues to undermine bilateral goodwill. “But somehow things go wrong every time because of all the fake news,” he added.
Yunus, who took charge following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, noted that Dhaka has grown increasingly “jittery and angry” due to a series of online misinformation campaigns that have complicated efforts to maintain diplomatic calm. “We try to get over this anger. But the whole barrage of things keeps happening in cyberspace. We can’t just get away from that. Even if we try to remain peaceful, suddenly they say something, do something—and the anger comes back. So this is now a big task for us,” Yunus remarked.
Bilateral Strain Since Hasina’s Departure
Tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi have remained elevated since the political upheaval in Bangladesh that led to Sheikh Hasina’s removal. Following her departure, Hasina reportedly took refuge in India, further complicating diplomatic channels. In May 2025, Yunus' interim administration formally banned the Awami League, accusing the party of corruption and autocratic governance. The government has also charged India with meddling in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs.
The situation escalated when Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) indicted Sheikh Hasina and two others for alleged mass killings during the 2024 crackdown on student-led protests.
General Elections Scheduled for April 2026
Amid mounting pressure from both domestic and international observers, Muhammad Yunus announced that Bangladesh will hold national elections in April 2026, rejecting opposition demands for early polls. Notably, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had called for immediate elections, citing legitimacy concerns surrounding the interim government.
“The government has held discussions with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history,” Yunus said. “After reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to justice, reform and elections, I am announcing to the people of the country today that the next national elections will be held on a day in the first half of April 2026.”
Mounting International Scrutiny
Yunus’ interim administration continues to face criticism from human rights groups and foreign governments over its handling of opposition parties and suppression of dissent. Despite these challenges, Yunus remains firm on his reformist agenda. “The roadmap to elections will focus on transparency and institutional reform,” he emphasized.
With just under a year to go before elections, all eyes remain on Dhaka’s political stability, its relations with New Delhi, and the future trajectory of democratic governance in the country.
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