In response to the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, India has withdrawn all non-essential staff and their families from its high commission in Dhaka. However, the high commission remains operational, with Indian diplomats and officials continuing their duties as usual.
As news emerged that Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus will likely head an interim government to be sworn in on Thursday, a senior member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expressed a desire for improved relations with India. A K M Wahiduzzaman, BNP’s Secretary for Information and Technology Affairs, stated, “Our acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, believes that while a country’s internal dynamics may change, its neighbors remain constant. We seek a healthy relationship with India.”
Currently in exile in Malaysia, Wahiduzzaman is closely associated with Tarique Rahman, BNP leader and son of Khaleda Zia, a long-time rival of Sheikh Hasina. Wahiduzzaman added that BNP members are actively working to reduce violence in the country, including protecting police stations and temples.
Regarding the appointment of Yunus as head of the interim government, Wahiduzzaman noted that the BNP is more focused on a swift return to democratic governance. “An unelected government should not last long. We want elections within the next 3 to 6 months,” he said, denying any reports of Rahman’s return to Dhaka from London.
Indian officials have not yet confirmed any communication with the BNP. The party has faced accusations from Hasina’s supporters of collaborating with Jamaat-e-Islami to shift student protests against Hasina into a broader regime change movement. According to reports from Dhaka, offices, schools, and factories began reopening on Wednesday, although the threat of violence persists and police are struggling to restore order. Ensuring the safety of Indian nationals and minorities remains a top priority for India, which continues to coordinate with the military in Dhaka.
As for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, she remains in a “safe house” in India amid a lack of asylum options elsewhere. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, indicated that Hasina will likely stay in Delhi for the time being, with no decision made yet on relocating.
