Dhaka, September 25. Nobel Prize winner and renowned Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus recently stated that although the relationship between India and Bangladesh is historical and deep, several problems still exist between the two countries. He said that resolving these issues is extremely important for the better future of both countries and for regional stability.

Bangladesh’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus said on Thursday in New York, “There are still problems between India and Bangladesh because they did not like the students’ work. Furthermore, they are also hosting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is the cause of various problems in our country.”

Yunus held Hasina responsible for the deaths of many youths. He said that this has caused tension between India and Bangladesh. Relations between India and Bangladesh began to deteriorate in August 2024, when Hasina resigned and came to India.

Essentially, students protested after discrimination in the job quota, which led to a coup in Bangladesh. Yunus also accused India of spreading fake news against Bangladesh.

Yunus said – SAARC does not fit into one country’s politics

Speaking about the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Yunus said, “The real meaning of SAARC is that you invest in our country and we will invest in your territory. SAARC works like this. We are connected to each other on business terms. Nepal imports goods through its sea route, which benefits all of us.”

He further said, “In SAARC, we are all like a family. The entire idea of SAARC is Bangladesh’s contribution; we promoted it among South Asian countries. Now you consider us its enemy.”

Yunus said that all the countries in SAARC can visit each other, make friends, study in each other’s schools and colleges, and do business. That is the whole idea.

He said that it ‘does not fit into one country’s politics’ and that he feels bad about it. However, he did not directly name any country.

Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus is not a place or cultural site, but a Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bangladeshi economist and founder of the Grameen Bank. He pioneered the concepts of microcredit and microfinance, providing small loans to impoverished individuals without requiring collateral. His work, which began in the 1970s, has empowered millions of people, particularly women, to escape poverty through entrepreneurship.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a South Asian country formed in 1971 after a war of independence from Pakistan. Its history is deeply rooted in the Bengal region, with a rich cultural heritage influenced by ancient kingdoms, Mughal rule, and the British Empire. The country is known for its vibrant traditions, the world’s largest river delta, and the Sundarbans mangrove forest.

India

India is a vast and ancient civilization in South Asia, with a continuous history spanning over five millennia, from the Indus Valley Civilization to its independence from British rule in 1947. It is the birthplace of major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and is renowned for its immense cultural diversity, architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal, and profound philosophical traditions. Today, it is the world’s largest democracy and a rapidly developing nation.

Sheikh Hasina

“Sheikh Hasina” is not a place or cultural site, but the name of the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She is the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history, having held the office multiple times since 1996. Her political career has been central to the recent history and development of modern Bangladesh.

SAARC

SAARC is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, an economic and geopolitical organization established in 1985. Its primary objective is to promote welfare economics, collective self-reliance, and accelerate socio-cultural development among its eight member states in South Asia.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and geopolitical organization established in 1985 to promote regional development and collective self-reliance among South Asian nations. Its founding members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with Afghanistan joining later in 2007. While it has fostered some cooperation, its progress has often been hindered by political tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan.

Nepal

Nepal is a Himalayan country in South Asia, renowned as the birthplace of Buddha and for its deep-rooted Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Its history is defined by the Kathmandu Valley’s ancient Newar kingdoms and the unification of the country under the Shah dynasty in the 18th century. The nation is globally famous for Mount Everest and its rich cultural heritage of temples, palaces, and festivals.