Bangladesh’s Interim Government Recalls Envoys Amid Diplomatic Strain

Bangladesh’s interim government has recalled five envoys, including the high commissioner to India, Mustafizur Rahman, causing discontent within the foreign service. This decision comes at a time of weakened India-Bangladesh relations following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The recalled officials, who were primarily career diplomats, included envoys to crucial locations and key organizations, reflecting mounting tensions arising from recent political events within Bangladesh.

In a significant development, the interim government of Bangladesh has ordered the recall of five envoys, including its high commissioner to India, Mustafizur Rahman. This decision, facilitated by the administration division of the foreign ministry, has raised concerns within the nation’s foreign service, particularly as many of those recalled were not political appointees. Rahman, who has been in the post since July 2022 and previously served as the permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, is among those affected, alongside the permanent representative to the UN in New York and ambassadors to Australia, Belgium, and Portugal. Notably, some recalled envoys were approaching retirement.

This recall occurs amidst a backdrop of strained relations between India and Bangladesh, particularly following the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration in August 2023, which was marked by widespread protests. In this political turmoil, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken over as the head of the caretaker government, which attempted to arrange a meeting between Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent UN General Assembly. Tensions escalated as Yunus criticized India and hinted at the potential extradition of Hasina, leading to dissatisfaction from the Indian government. The recalled envoys were instrumental in maintaining diplomatic ties, with Rahman being particularly noted for his contributions to development cooperation.

In conclusion, the recall of envoys by Bangladesh’s interim government, particularly the high commissioner to India, is indicative of the current tumultuous state of Bangladesh’s foreign relations. This move not only reflects internal discontent within the foreign service but also underscores the complexities ensuing from recent political changes in Bangladesh. The unfolding dynamics between the two countries will be critical to monitoring in the coming months as they seek to stabilize their diplomatic interactions.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com