At the outset of Bangladesh’s interim government, the newly appointed Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain, emphasized the importance of maintaining balanced relations with the world’s major powers. He also stressed the need for fostering strong ties with all nations.
On Friday, August 9, the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, along with other advisers, paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by laying wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. They also honored the martyrs of the historic Language Movement at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Touhid Hossain remarked, “We aim to maintain good relations with everyone. It’s crucial to balance our relationships with the major powers.”
He highlighted that restoring law and order in the country is the immediate priority, and achieving this goal will set the foundation for addressing other issues effectively.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, took oath on Thursday night with a vision of guiding Bangladesh towards a democratic future. The United States welcomed Dr. Yunus’ call to end violence across the country and reaffirmed its readiness to work with the interim government to shape Bangladesh’s democratic path.
During a regular briefing in Washington, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated the U.S. commitment to seeing the interim government establish a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh. He noted that U.S. Chargé d’Affaires attended the oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban on Thursday night.
Earlier, the U.S. expressed its view that the interim government would play a crucial role in establishing long-term peace and political stability in Bangladesh.
The European Union (EU) also expressed its interest in engaging with the new interim government of Bangladesh and supporting the complex process of power transition. In a statement on Friday, EU High Representative Josep Borrell welcomed the swearing-in of the interim government members led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Borrell highlighted that Bangladesh is entering a critical period, and the interim government’s key tasks include preparing for democratic elections and ensuring accountability for the deaths and violence that have occurred.
EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley attended the swearing-in ceremony and remarked that witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history was an honor.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dr. Muhammad Yunus on his appointment as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Modi expressed hope that peace and normalcy would be quickly restored in Bangladesh, ensuring the safety of the Hindu and other minority communities.
On his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both nations’ peoples for peace, security, and development.
China, in welcoming the interim government, reiterated its strict adherence to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Beijing respects Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and honors the path of development chosen independently by its people.
The United Nations has stated that it will consider any formal requests from the new government. Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, noted, “We are ready to stand by the people and government of Bangladesh in whatever way they deem necessary.”
