United News of Bangladesh

Japan strongly hopes that through a peaceful and democratic political transition, Bangladesh will keep advancing on a path towards stable development, says the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka. Under the "Strategic Partnership" enshrined between the two countries, Japan said they will continue its support for Bangladesh's development and prosperity. Japan also said they stand side by side with the transition process to be led by Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus of the interim government. Dr Yunus has sworn in as the Chief Advisor to the interim government  of Bangladesh as he took his oath on 8 August.

The United Kingdom has welcomed the appointment of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. "The interim government has the UK’s support as it works to restore peace and order, for the sake of the Bangladeshi people," said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in a statement. The UK urged all actors to prevent further violence and loss of life. UK wants to see action to ensure Bangladesh’s peaceful and democratic future "The people of Bangladesh deserve accountability and a peaceful pathway to an inclusive democratic future," Lammy said. UK clarifies asylum rules amid speculation on Sheikh Hasina’s next move

Welcoming the new interim government in Bangladesh, Canada has said they look forward to engaging with the interim government in supporting a process that is inclusive with broad political participation by all sectors of society, including religious minorities, youth, women and other minorities. “Canada reiterates its calls for calm and urges all parties to work together to promote the principles of democratic and inclusive governance, respect for human rights, and the rule of law," said Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly in a statement. The Canadian Foreign Minister said Canada supports a "peaceful way forward" in the resolution of the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh. Canada wants quick, peaceful return to civilian-led govt in Bangladesh "In this regard, we welcome the inauguration of a new interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This is the first step in restoring peace, to pave the way for free and fair elections and democratic governance," Joly said. Canada also called on the interim government to maintain full access to internet and other communication means to support the exercise of freedom of expression. Victims of violence, terrorism remembered in Canada The Foreign Minister also urged the interim government to pursue accountability and a full impartial investigation into the deaths and violence that have occurred.  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed the interim government in Bangladesh led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. "I welcome the swearing in of Dr Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government in Bangladesh," Blinken said. Sharing a brief message through his social media handle X on Saturday (Bangladesh time), he said the United States supports his call for calm and peace. Blinken said the US remains committed to working with Bangladesh as it charts a democratic and prosperous future for the people in Bangladesh. Globally acclaimed economist Prof Yunus was sworn in as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday night bringing hope for a new journey towards Bangladesh’s democratic future. Chief Adviser Yunus to visit martyr Abu Sayeed's family in Rangpur

India has said they do not have an update on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s plans and it would not be appropriate at this point in time to comment on her plans. “As far as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is concerned, I told you that we don't have an update on her plans. It is for her to take things forward,” official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi. Responding to a question on former PM Hasina during a weekly briefing, he said their External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has clearly stated in his suo motu statement in Parliament that the approval for former Prime Minister Hasina to come to India was given at a short notice. “The situation as you know is still evolving as far as Bangladesh is concerned. It would not be appropriate for me at this point in time to comment on her plans,” Jaiswal said. India expressed hope for early restoration of law and order in Bangladesh, noting that this is both in the interest of the country itself and the larger region. “It is the responsibility of every government to ensure the well-being of all its citizens,” said Jaiswal. On minority issues, he said they are very closely monitoring the situation and the External Affairs Minister also talked about it. “We hope that… certain steps have been taken by groups and organizations and we have welcomed that but we want that the law and order situation in the country improves so that normal life can begin,” Jaiswal said. He said they are engaged with authorities in Dhaka amid an evolving situation and as a close friend of the people of Bangladesh, it is their understanding that they want restoration of peace and stability in the country as soon as possible so that normal life can begin. “We are closely monitoring the situation. We are in touch with them to ensure the safety and security of our Missions, of our personnel who are manning the Missions and also for the safety and security of Indian nationals,” Jaiswal said. He said they have requested them to ensure safety and security of their nationals, High Commission and their personnel. "It is our expectation that law and order will return to normalcy hopefully soon, so that normal transaction, normal life in the country can begin. Also I would like to again emphasize that the interest of the people of Bangladesh is foremost for us," said the MEA spokesperson.

The United Nations has encouraged a peaceful transition on the ground, noting that they stand ready to support the interim government and people of Bangladesh in any way that they deem is necessary. “Well, we’ll see what kind of formal request we get from any new government that is formed. We, of course, stand ready to support the government and people of Bangladesh in any way that they deem is necessary,” said Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq. He said UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis attended Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony, and certainly she and the country team have been active in encouraging the process of making sure that the transition on the ground is peaceful. Responding to a question, the Deputy Spokesman said they want to make sure that the violence that has been occurring in Bangladesh in recent weeks is tamped down. “We have made that clear. Certainly, we stand against any racially based attacks or racially based incitement to violence.”

Newly formed interim government’s Foreign Affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain has laid emphasis on maintaining a balance with the big powers in terms of relations as the interim government begins its journey. He also said that Bangladesh needs to have good relations with all the countries. “We want to keep good relations with all. We need to maintain a balance of relations with the big countries,” he told reporters on Friday. Touhid said restoring law and order is the key priority at this moment and others will be back on track once the first goal is achieved. Chief adviser of the interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus and other advisers on Friday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. They also paid homage to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar. Nobel laureate and globally acclaimed economist Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn-in as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday night bringing hope for a new journey towards Bangladesh’s democratic future. The United States has welcomed chief adviser Dr Yunus’s call for an end to the recent violence. The US reiterated that they stand ready to work with the interim government and Dr Yunus as it charts a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh. "I’m not going to speak to the private diplomatic conversations, but obviously one of the things that we have made clear is that we want to see the interim government chart a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh," said US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller while responding to a question at a regular briefing in Washington on Thursday. Miller said there has been communication with the interim government, and their charge d’affaires attended his swearing-in ceremony in Bangabhaban Thursday night. Earlier, the US said the interim government will play a vital role in establishing long-term peace and political stability in Bangladesh. The European Union (EU) has said it looks forward to engaging with the new administration in Bangladesh and to supporting this critical transition. It said the transition should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights. "The EU welcomes the swearing-in of the members of Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, as they took their oath," said the EU High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles in a statement received on Friday. He said Bangladesh is now entering a period of transition and the interim government will have an important task to prepare the ground for democratic elections and ensure accountability for the deaths and violence that have occurred. "This is an important moment for the country’s democratic path and the fulfilment of the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and its youth," said the EU High Representative. Sharing the statement from his social media handle, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said it was a "privilege" to attend the ceremony and see a "new chapter" in Bangladesh history taking shape. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities as chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. "We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities," he said. In a message shared through his verified X handle, Modi said India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both their peoples for peace, security and development. China has noted that Bangladesh has formed an interim government and welcomes it and reiterated that Beijing strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. "We respect Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people," said a Spokesperson at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The United Nations will see what kind of formal request it gets from the new government that is formed.  “We, of course, stand ready to support the Government and people of Bangladesh in any way that they deem is necessary,” Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, on Friday said the United Nations has a crucial role in supporting the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led transition government until a national election is announced in the coming months. “The United Nations has a very important role in supporting this transition government,” she told reporters after a meeting with a BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office. She said they are meeting all of the stakeholders, all of the parties involved, and all of the civil society organisations to begin conversations about how the UN can support Bangladesh along the path for looking at a new investigation on what happened, how to reconcile, and advancing on the development priorities in the country and of course supporting until the new transition government can announce elections in the coming months. “So, this is an important moment for consultation and dialogue, and again we are always calling for calm,” the UN official said. She said it has been extraordinary what has happened in the country over the last few days. “We all have a responsibility for calm and peace on the streets,” Lewis said. She said all also have the responsibility to stop violence to continue to build an incredible Bangladesh and to continue the economic development. “We all need to work together closely…” About the meeting, the UN official said she came to meet the BNP leaders as a transition government was announced on Thursday night under the leadership of Dr Yunus. BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organizing Secretary Shama Obed were also present at the meeting. Following the meeting, Khosru said the nation has experienced a significant transformation, achieving a form of independence for the second time. He noted that, alongside the people of Bangladesh, the international community has played a crucial role in supporting this change. In particular, Khosru highlighted the United Nations' significant contribution to restoring human rights in Bangladesh. He said there was previously a sense of uncertainty among Bangladesh's development partners regarding the country’s future. However, the BNP leader said this apprehension has now disappeared among all. He mentioned that the UN is a key partner in shaping Bangladesh’s future by addressing and overcoming these uncertainties. "We need the UN's support in this effort, and they are willing to give that support," he said. "Discussions (at our meeting) have focused on the collective goal of building a new Bangladesh together," Khosru said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Prof Muhammad Yunus on being appointed as the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government. “Heartiest felicitations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his swearing-in as Chief Adviser of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh,” Shehbaz posted on X on Friday. “I wish him great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future. I look forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead,” he added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has congratulated Prof Muhammad Yunus on being the chief adviser of the newly formed interim government. "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus and all those who have taken responsibility in Bangladesh. I hope our relationship with them will improve further,” she wrote on her verified Facebook account on Friday. “I wish for the development, peace, progress, and well-being of all people at all levels in Bangladesh. My many, many good wishes to the students, youth, workers, farmers, and women, starting from everyone there,” she said. “I hope the crisis will soon pass, and peace will return. May peace return to this world of love of yours and mine. If our neighbouring country is well, we too will be well,” she added.