Thu Sep 25 18:32:18 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article written from the Indian perspective, based on the provided information:
**Summary:**
The interim head of the Bangladesh government, Muhammad Yunus, publicly criticized India at an Asia Society event in New York. He accused India of harboring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom he blames for violence against young people during a student-led movement. Yunus also suggested that India is hindering the progress of SAARC and spreading “fake news” about the situation in Bangladesh. He emphasized the importance of SAARC for regional cooperation and connectivity, and highlighted efforts to revive the organization.
**News Article:**
**The Hindu: Yunus Accuses India of Straining Relations, Hindering SAARC at UNGA Sidelines**
**NEW DELHI, September 26, 2025** – In a move likely to further strain relations between New Delhi and Dhaka, Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, has openly criticized India’s handling of the ongoing political situation in his country. Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York on Wednesday, Yunus accused India of harboring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who he alleges is responsible for violence against young people during recent protests.
“We have problems with India right now,” Yunus stated, referring to India’s decision to host Hasina, who fled to India following a student-led movement that overthrew her government. He further alleged that India is disseminating “fake news” portraying the protesters as Islamists or Taliban.
Yunus’s remarks come amidst growing concern in India over the political instability in Bangladesh and the potential for regional ramifications. While the Ministry of External Affairs has not yet officially responded, sources indicate that Yunus’s comments are viewed as unhelpful and inaccurate.
Beyond the immediate political tensions, Yunus also criticized India’s stance on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), implying that India is obstructing its progress. He emphasized the importance of SAARC for regional cooperation, education, business, and connectivity, reiterating Bangladesh’s commitment to reviving the organization. He met with Sergio Gor, U.S. Special Envoy, and raised the importance of SAARC and inclusion of Nepal, Bhutan and India’s northeast.
“The whole idea of SAARC was born in Bangladesh,” Yunus said. “Our history gives us the opportunity but somehow it did not fit into the politics of one country. We feel very sorry for that.”
The last SAARC summit was held in Kathmandu in 2014. The Islamabad summit was cancelled in 2016, following India’s withdrawal citing “cross border terrorism” from Pakistan, after which Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan followed suit.
Yunus’s comments are likely to add fuel to the existing tensions and raise questions about the future of bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh. As India navigates the complex political landscape in its eastern neighbor, these public criticisms from a high-ranking official are expected to complicate diplomatic efforts to maintain stability and cooperation in the region.