Bangladesh Affairs

"Overall, if we look at the broad diversion of funds away from the country, it would be about $25 billion."

#Bangladesh's new central bank Governor Ahsan Mansur tells us about the hunt for wealth transferred out of the country by political and business elites. #MinistersMillions

Bangladesh says Xi Jinping would consider lowering interest on Chinese loans Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus that Beijing would consider requests to lower interest rates on Chinese loans to Dhaka, Yunus’ press chief said on Friday.

Nearly 30 Chinese companies pledged $1 billion for the Chinese Industrial Economic Zone after Yunus urged private investment in the Bangladeshi manufacturing sector.

MPs think they may have been targets of ‘disinformation’ over Bangladesh inquiry Group received emails about Ahsan Mansur, the central bank official investigating money laundering allegations

MPs fear that Britain’s efforts to assist Bangladesh could be further clouded by an apparent smear campaign against Mansur involving news articles by fake journalists.

India was aware of anti-Hasina wave but could not interfere: Jaishankar India was aware of an anti-Sheikh Hasina wave building up in Bangladesh ahead of the violent overthrow of the former Prime Minister’s government on 5 August 2024, reports Indian media outlet The Hindu...

India was not in a position to do much as it lacked the necessary leverage over Sheikh Hasina, who could only be “advised”, he told the MPs.

Bangladeshis Toppled a Tyrant: Here’s what the world can learn from us Bangladesh’s story speaks to anyone around the world fighting for the soul of a democracy, writes Shahidul Alam

“..our struggle for democracy has come at a devastating cost. As many as 1400 people were slaughtered by government security forces during the protests and at least 3500 forcibly abducted during her 15-year rule. The seeds of rebellion grew each time a life was taken, each time a critic disappeared”

Muhammad Yunus on picking up the pieces in Bangladesh after ‘monumental’ damage by Sheikh Hasina’s rule Yunus is facing a huge security challenge as some police refuse to return to their posts, gang crime is rife and tensions simmer with the country’s army chief

The damage she had done was monumental,” Yunus …describing the state of Bangladesh when he took charge. “It was a completely devastated country, like another Gaza, except it wasn’t buildings that had been destroyed but whole institutions, policies, people, international relationships.

"In #Bangladesh, most successful political movements have been spearheaded by leaders who commanded near-religious devotion. The #NationalCitizensParty, by contrast, lacks a comparable figure."

scroll.in/article/1079...

HM Nazmul Alam explains why it's an uphill battle for the new party.

#Bangladesh | This came a day after the International Criminal Tribunal in the country issued arrest warrants against Hasina and 11 others, including former military generals and an ex-police chief, for their alleged role in enforced disappearances.

Read more: scroll.in/latest/10776...

India ties based on ‘give and take’, China a ‘development partner’, says Bangladesh army chief In his first interview since Hasina's ouster, General Waker Uz Zaman made it clear Dhaka would not support northeast rebel groups nor hurt New Delhi’s strategic interests.

“Friendship with all, no hostility with anyone… Our foreign policy is excellent. We have to move forward with balance. China is our development partner. They have a lot of investment in Bangladesh. So, China is very important to us.…”

#MamataBanerjee claims #BSF allowing infiltration into West Bengal from Bangladesh

The chief minister claimed that the Union government had a ‘nefarious blueprint’ to destabilise the state.

Read more: scroll.in/latest/10774...

From Revolution to Reform: Honoring a Legacy Why Bangladesh’s interim government must prioritize reforms over rushed elections, drawing on Ziaur Rahman’s leadership during times of crisis.

The interim government should assertively resist pressure from political parties demanding an immediate election. The government’s mandate is to prioritize reforms that address systemic corruption, judicial inefficiencies, and institutional weaknesses.

There are no circumstances under which I can envision New Delhi granting this request,’’ said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute, Wilson Center, in Washington

Delhi's dilemma: The Statesman Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of its former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina from India marks a pivotal moment in South Asian diplomacy.

A dilemma is an admission of complicity

Ousted Bangladesh PM Hasina's son denies graft in $12.65 billion nuclear deal Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son and adviser on Tuesday described allegations of corruption involving the family in the 2015 awarding of a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract as "completely bogus" and a "smear campaign".

The commission has alleged that there were financial irregularities worth about $5 billion involving Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed and her niece and British treasury minister Tulip Siddiq, through offshore accounts.

About time, India’s political and foreign policy establishment recognize their mistakes and make amends.

People power's unfinished work: Can Bangladesh be an exception? - TPR: The Public's Radio The Wilson Center's Michael Kugelman says that for many Bangladeshis, a successful youth-led mass movement has shattered a long malaise and kindled a newfound optimism about the country's future.

While people power movements upend politics, they often fail to produce lasting democratic change. Bangladesh has a chance to be an exception — but it won’t be easy.

Vox Populi, Vox Dei – SOUTH ASIA PERSPECTIVES – SAPlightmodedarkmodelightmodedarkmode

one possibility that merits further discussion is the potential value of holding a referendum to gauge public support for the interim government’s reform efforts and determine when Bangladesh’s citizens think national elections should be held.

Elections Can Wait: Why Reforms Are Key to Bangladesh's Future The BNP’s demand for an early election runs the risk of taking the country back to square one.

One of the reasons the BNP is advocating for early elections is its difficulty in controlling its leaders and activists, who are trying to take over extortion rackets left behind by members of the Awami League.

India’s warped narrative of an “anti-Hindu” Bangladesh imperils its own future standing India risks permanent damage to its relationship with Bangladesh with a narrative of uncontrolled communal violence after Sheikh Hasina’s fall, ignoring Hasina’s weaponisation of the Hindu minority an...

The public fears that Hasina’s return could bring catastrophic revenge, especially targeting students and others involved in the protests. This anxiety is compounded by growing distrust of India, seen by many as determined to reinstall Hasina.

A leader of the Bangladesh National Party also claims that the misinformation has an impact on Bangladesh’s political process, hampering the country’s efforts to re-establish a sense of unity after the uprising.

scroll.in/article/1076...

Kaniz Fatema examines the deeper implications of fake news.

Odhikar strongly protests Narendra Modi’s statement on Bangladesh’s Victory Day The statement of the Indian Prime Minister on the victory day of Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 16 December 1971, is in clear disregard to the sovereignty of Bangladesh, and its people who sacrificed ...

Narendra Modi’s non-statemanship statement apparently is a continuation of...and his governments programme of undermining Bangladesh. Instead of sticking to a failed foreign policy, the Indian government should demonstrate respect to Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state.

The Anatomy of Disinformation on X: Foreign Information Manipulation amid Bangladesh's Political Transition | Tech Global Institute Bangladesh's political landscape has shifted dramatically following the fall of the Awami League led government in August 2024. The ousting of Prime Minister

This study investigates disinformation campaigns on X that exploit communal tensions in Bangladesh.... It uncovers the tactics, patterns, and key actors—especially suspected foreign networks—exploiting local narratives to destabilize and exacerbate longstanding societal tensions.

City minister Tulip Siddiq named in Bangladesh corruption claim [FREE TO READ] Siddiq implicated in alleged embezzlement involving former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her aunt

City minister Tulip Siddiq named in #Bangladesh corruption claim on.ft.com/4gLZ79f

The Economist’s country of the year for 2024 The winner toppled a tyrant and seems headed for something better

Bangladesh: The Economist Country Of the Year