Bangladesh’s envoy to India recalled amid major diplomatic reshuffle

The interim government has recalled envoys in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York and asked them to hand over their responsibilities immediately, foreign officials told PTI.

Srinagar, Oct 3: Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus-led government has ordered five envoys, including its ambassador to India, to relinquish their posts and return to Dhaka immediately, Bangla daily Prothom Alo reported.

The interim government has recalled its envoys in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York.

These include: Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner to India; Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York; Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Ambassador to Belgium; M Allama Siddiqui, High Commissioner to Australia; and Rezina Ahmed, Ambassador to Portugal, reported The Indian Express.

The major diplomatic reshuffle follows the recall of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner to Britain, who was asked to return in a similar way.

Bangladesh’s ties with India have been strained since the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which followed violent student-led protests.

Hasina fled to India after resigning from her post on August 5. Yunus was appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on August 8.

The widespread protests were triggered by a controversial job quota system. Initially triggered by demands for fair employment opportunities, the protests quickly escalated into a border movement against systemic corruption and authoritarian governance.