India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus to participate in the “Third Voice of Global South Summit,” which will be hosted virtually by New Delhi on August 17, 2024.
Professor Yunus has accepted the invitation and will join the Summit virtually from Dhaka. On August 16th, PM Modi and Professor Yunus had a telephone conversation in which they discussed the current situation in Bangladesh following the abrupt departure of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
During the call, PM Modi conveyed his wishes to Professor Yunus on his new role as the head of the interim government.
“The Indian Prime Minister expressed his good wishes to the new government and expressed to work with Bangladesh for the benefit of people as close friends. He also expressed his desire to work closely with the Professor Yunus-led Interim government,” according to a tweet from the Office of the Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh.
It noted that PM Modi commended the leadership of the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate, remarking that “he knew him for a long time,” and “Professor Yunus has long experience, and his leadership will bring good to the people of Bangladesh.”
During the call, Professor Yunus assured PM Modi “that his government is committed to safeguarding every citizen of the country including the minorities,” after PM Modi discussed the issue of “protection of the minorities.”
Professor Yunus also reiterated that the interim government is, “committed to making all state apparatus fully functional and effective and ensuring human rights for every citizen of the country.”
As such, Professor Yunus briefed PM Modi that “reports of attacks on the minorities have been exaggerated,” and therefore he is extending invitations to “Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report from the ground on the issues of the minority protection.”
Professor Yunus mentioned that the interim government has brought the situation under control, and that life is returning to normalcy across Bangladesh.
“This is a Second Revolution of Bangladesh, and his government will fulfill the desire of the democratic aspirations of the students and people,” emphasized Professor Yunus pointing out that the Interim Government was formed “as a result of the student movement.”
