America will fully support Bangladesh, assures Joe Biden during a meeting with Yunus

The ongoing United Nations General Assembly session in New York saw Bangladesh’s interim Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. According to the statement from the Chief Advisor’s office, the meeting between the two leaders was successful, with Biden assuring full support for Bangladesh.

Yunus reportedly shared details with Biden about how students in Bangladesh had risen up against the repression during the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina. He discussed the student protests, the bravery shown in the face of police violence, and the loss of lives in the struggle for change. After hearing Yunus, Biden remarked that if students could sacrifice so much for their country, then the U.S. government also had a responsibility to do something for them. Yunus expressed confidence that his government would succeed in rebuilding Bangladesh, with Biden offering support.

Yunus briefed Biden on Bangladesh’s political situation, particularly focusing on the students’ movement and their courageous role during the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina. He described how students stood fearlessly against police repression and how many lives were lost in the process. Biden praised the sacrifices of the students and mentioned that if the youth can do so much for their country, it is incumbent upon the U.S. government to offer its support.

Yunus expressed confidence that his government would successfully rebuild Bangladesh, and Biden promised full support in these efforts. Additionally, Yunus held meetings with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the President of the World Bank, among other leaders.

It’s important to note that Sheikh Hasina resigned from the Prime Minister’s position on August 5, following significant unrest and violence sparked by demands for quota reforms. Some close to her and elements within the Awami League suggested that her ousting was influenced by U.S. interests, particularly her refusal to hand over St. Martin’s Island to bolster American dominance in the Bay of Bengal. The U.S. government, however, has denied any involvement in Bangladesh’s political transition, asserting that they had no role in Hasina’s removal.

While the unrest surrounding the quota reform movement has largely been brought under control, the situation in Bangladesh has yet to fully stabilize. The meeting between Yunus and Biden marks the first face-to-face engagement since the formation of the interim government in Bangladesh.##