In a high-profile summit a while back, The United States of America President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi swapped various issues in a combined media interaction. However, a question regarding Bangladesh’s political affair brought forth a surprising reply that is a point of discussion around the world.
The Query:
An Indian journalist asked President Trump straight “Mr. President, tell us your opinion regarding the Bangladesh question. We know that during President Biden’s era, the United States of America’s deep state was definitely a part of Bangladesh’s regime change. Yunus Junior also met with Soros. So, what’s your opinion regarding it?” President Trump, never a shy one, said: “No, there was no role of the United States of America’s deep state in Bangladesh’s regime change. Indian Prime Minister Modi has been engaged in working on this question for a long time. (towards Modi) I’ll leave it to him to provide his response regarding Bangladesh.”
Onlookers noticed that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s face changed visibly after President Trump’s reply. Even though Modi discussed other topics, such as war in Ukraine, he remained tight-lipped when it came to Bangladesh’s question.
Background on Bangladesh’s Politics:
August of 2024, Bangladesh experienced large-scale political turmoil. Protests by university students, supported by various segments of society, resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests initially took place in response to the reintroduction of employment quotas in favor of freedom fighters’ descendants, something many viewed as perpetuating injustice. The government’s response to it resulted in more than 1,000 deaths. After that, Sheikh Hasina fled to India, and Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took over in charge of a caretaker government, promising to return democracy to the country and rebuild institutions of key government bodies. citeturn0news3
International Dynamics and Speculations:
The question put to President Trump was one that included claims of US interference in Bangladesh’s regime change during President Biden’s reign. The question also included a meet between “Yunus Junior” and George Soros, indicating potential foreign influences. There is no verifiable evidence of a character named “Yunus Junior” or of such a meet between Soros happening. The reference was possibly a misquote or related to unauthenticated claims making rounds in certain segments of society.
Reactions of Pro-Hasina Supporters in Exile:
The question during the press meet has been particularly disappointing to pro-Hasina supporters in exile. Many of them had been waiting for President Trump to speak up in support of their side. In the week or two leading up to the meet, these groups actively spread Trump’s picture, waiting for a savior to intervene in their favor. Trump’s decision to put it in the hands of Prime Minister Modi, coupled with Modi’s post that, has created a perception of abandonment among such groups of people. Some feel it can lead to a turnaround in their perception of Trump.
India’s Involvement and Modi’s Silence:
India shares a deep cultural and historical connection with Bangladesh. Failure of Indian Prime Minister Modi to address the issue during the media briefing has been interpreted in various ways. Some analysts believe that Modi’s restraint is a reflection of a need to avoid getting bogged down in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, given the sensitive nature of current political instability in Bangladesh. Other analysts believe that India is likely resorting to covert diplomacy to support Bangladesh’s stability without making open official announcements.
The unexpected engagement during the media briefing has underscored the nature of international diplomacy in Bangladesh’s political process. It brings to the fore the need for a careful walk that is required of world leaders when dealing with sensitive sub-regional affairs. As Bangladesh continues to move towards political stability in a caretaker government, the action and response of key neighboring countries such as India continue to be crucial. The rest of the world would be keeping a close eye on the way such dynamics play out in the coming months.
Source : DU Insider
