Joe Biden Meets Muhammad Yunus in New York Amid Protests Over Minorities Situation in Bangladesh

Joe Biden Meets Muhammad Yunus in New York Amid Protests Over Minorities Situation in Bangladesh

New Delhi: United States President Joe Biden has extended full support to nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh . The two leaders met each other on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, on Tuesday, September 24.

In a post on X, the official account of Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh wrote, “President Biden expressed US government’s full support for Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his government as they met on the margin of the UNGA.”

Biden also congratulated Yunus on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh . The two leaders asserted close ties between the United States and Bangladesh.

“Both leaders affirmed the close partnership between the United States and Bangladesh , which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties,” a statement issued by the White House read.

The outgoing US President encouraged further engagement between the two nations and extended a helping hand towards Yunus-led govt as it prepares to implement a new reform agenda in the country.

“President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued U.S. support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda,” the statement further read.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner also apprised Biden about the student uprising in Bangladesh against the erstwhile Sheikh Hasina -led govt. 

Massive Protest Against Yunus Over Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh

Further, a massive protest erupted outside the hotel where Yunus stayed during his New York visit to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Chanting slogans against Yunus, Bangladeshi nationals gathered outside the hotel to voice their concerns over the alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh .

Dr. Rahman, one of the protestors said, “I am here to protest the illegal, unelected person representing 117 million people of Bangladesh … He is not elected; he has been appointed by students. He doesn’t care about minorities or anybody… He has illegally occupied the country.”

Another protester, DM Ronald, echoed these sentiments and said, “We believe in a secular democracy. After he took the power by force, he started killing Hindus, Muslims, Christians… Our people are not safe in Bangladesh …”

Yunus arrived in New York on Monday night (US Time) to attend the UNGA session and faced significant backlash during his first foreign visit since becoming Chief Adviser of the interim government on August 8. His appointment followed the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ‘s government amid a student-led uprising.

Yunus Meets Justin Trudeau 

During his visit to New York, Yunus, Bangladesh Chief Adviser, also met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting on September 24. 

 

A noted economist, Yunus took oath as the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh on August 8, three days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country in the wake deteriorating situation in Dhaka following a violent protest by students against reserved quotas in government jobs. Earlier on September 15, a delegation of top US diplomats met Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka and assured him of expanding economic and political relations to create a more equitable and inclusive future for the people of the country.

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