Chief Adviser’s London Visit is drawing intense national and international attention not just because it’s Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s first European trip since taking charge of the interim government, but because of growing speculation about a potential meeting with BNP’s Acting Chairperson, Tarique Rahman.
Dr. Yunus is scheduled to begin his four-day tour of the United Kingdom on June 9, and although his visit has clear diplomatic objectives, it’s the rumored political meeting that has everyone talking. Whispers of a face-to-face discussion between the Chief Adviser and Tarique Rahman are circulating across political and social landscapes, fueling both excitement and controversy.
What the Government Is Saying
Despite the rumors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly stated that no meeting with Tarique Rahman is part of the official program for the Chief Adviser’s London Visit. On Wednesday, June 4, Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique emphasized that the focus of the visit is recovering funds that have been illicitly transferred from Bangladesh to the UK.
“The top priority of this visit is the recovery of laundered money,” Siddique told the press. “That’s where we are placing our greatest diplomatic emphasis.”
While he acknowledged that Dr. Yunus will meet with established British political leaders, he clarified that these interactions would be with individuals from major UK parties including the Conservatives, Labour, and others and not with Bangladeshi political figures.
When asked directly about Tarique Rahman, Siddique responded carefully:
“I don’t want to mention any party by name. Meetings are planned with those active in British politics. As far as I know, there is no scheduled meeting with any Bangladeshi political leader.”
Although the spotlight remains on political speculation, the Chief Adviser’s London Visit has a concrete diplomatic mission. The interim government is seeking to repatriate money smuggled out of Bangladesh, and the UK is one of the main destinations where such funds have reportedly landed.
“Our focus isn’t just on specific individuals who fled the country,” Siddique explained. “What’s more urgent is the recovery of national assets that were illegally moved abroad.”
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Despite the mystery surrounding any potential meeting with Tarique Rahman, several high-profile meetings are already confirmed as part of Chief Adviser’s London Visit:
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On June 11, Dr. Muhammad Yunus will meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a bilateral discussion.
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On June 12, he is scheduled to meet King Charles III.
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Later that day, at St. James’s Palace, Dr. Yunus will receive the King Charles Harmony Award, a symbolic recognition of his lifelong commitment to social harmony, economic justice, and humanitarian values.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that no MoU or agreement will be signed during this trip. The visit is primarily focused on diplomatic engagement, financial accountability, and honoring long-standing international relationships.
While Chief Adviser’s London Visit has clear policy objectives, the political curiosity surrounding a possible meeting with Tarique Rahman reveals deeper national anxieties. In a politically tense environment, even unofficial interactions carry weight. Whether the rumored meeting happens or not, it is already shaping headlines and stirring debate.
For now, the official message remains: this is a mission focused on governance, not politics.
But in a nation as politically sensitive as Bangladesh, every overseas handshake — or lack there of is watched closely.
The real story behind Chief Adviser’s London Visit may not lie solely in signed agreements or scheduled press briefings. It lies in the speculation, the optics, and the messages between the lines. While Dr. Muhammad Yunus prepares to meet global leaders and accept royal honors, back home, citizens are waiting to see whether this trip will bring about meaningful progress or spark new political waves.
Source: Kaler Kantho
