Even as the Dr Yunus-led interim government mends bilateral ties with various countries and revives relations with Pakistan, analysts say there’s no scope to compromise on the 1971 issue.
Analysts argue that despite the Dr Yunus-led interim government reviving bilateral ties with Pakistan, there is no room for compromise on the 1971 issue. Screengrab from video
He held a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in New York on the sidelines of UNGA. Analysts say there are scopes for normalising diplomatic relations but Bangladesh must not let Pakistan’s role in 1971 slide.
“Does normalising relationships mean that we’ll let everything go? No, it's not. When we maintain relations with Pakistan, we’ll also raise outstanding issues with them,” former ambassador Humayun Kabir said.
In addition to attending the UNGA, Dr Yunus is meeting with world leaders, including those of the US, Canada, South Africa and Nepal.
A few days ago, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni complained that labour visas were sold and bought in Bangladesh. This complicated the visa procedure for Bangladeshis. However, in the meeting with Yunus, the two countries agreed to restart their relationship.
The president of the World Bank has announced a loan of $3.5 billion for the financial reform of Bangladesh. However, international relations analysts think that it will not be beneficial if there is no public involvement in taking loans.
Professor Imtiaz Ahmed explained that if 60 percent of the loan went to them under the pretext of technical support, we’ll be left with 40 percent. But we’ll have to pay interest for the entire amount. In the end, it won’t be beneficial for us.
Dr Yunus also called on China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to expand business and met with the head of USAID to increase cooperation in the energy and communication sectors. Analysts say that the Yunus government has to follow the policy of maintaining relations with everyone in the multilateral world.
