Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, head of the country’s interim government, recently spoke candidly about the challenges in Bangladesh-India relations during a talk at Chatham House in London.
Yunus emphasized that his administration has consistently aimed to foster strong ties with India, calling it a vital neighbor. However, he acknowledged that “something always went wrong” in the relationship—often triggered by misinformation and “fake news” from sections of the Indian media, which he claimed sometimes have links to influential policymakers. This, he said, fuels public anger and mistrust in Bangladesh.
Yunus also addressed the informal diplomatic note sent to India requesting the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He insisted that the process must be “very legal, very proper” and reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with India.
He pointed out that much of the public resentment toward Hasina has now shifted toward India, especially since she continues to address the Bangladeshi public via social media while residing in India. Yunus said he had asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb Hasina’s online outreach, but was told that social media activity cannot be regulated by the Indian government.
Expressing concern about the flood of both accurate and false information online, Yunus said it has made governance and the preservation of peace increasingly difficult. He reaffirmed that his priority is to maintain stability and guide the country toward democratic elections, scheduled for the first half of 2026. Yunus also made it clear that neither he nor any members of his interim cabinet would participate in the future elected government.