Yunus asks India to suspend issues with Pakistan to activate Saarc

DHAKA: Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has emphasised the importance of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

A Bangladeshi daily quoted Yunus as saying, “I feel that this is (region’s) our future. The European Union can move ahead so closely despite such historical divides. We do not have such a history of conflict. Why can’t we be able to move ahead?”

He noted, “Even if just for formalities’ sake, the Saarc countries took a picture together, signalling unity.”

When questioned about the obstacles preventing Saarc’s reactivation, Yunus replied, “That can be resolved.”

He suggested that India suspend certain issues with Pakistan while still advancing with SAARC, describing this as a key policy he intends to follow. Yunus also confirmed that Bangladesh would intensify efforts to gain ASEAN membership.

“We will have ASEAN on one side, SAARC on the other, with Bangladesh in the middle. We can align with both blocs. This will give us a broader position,” he explained.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining “very close” relations between Dhaka and Delhi, despite the recent ouster of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh, stating that such ties serve both nations’ interests.

“Relations between the two countries must be very close. There can be no alternative to this. They need this, we need this. This is essential from any angle, whether it’s about economics, security or water,” he added.

“Things will be clear to them when they see that the entire world is accepting us, how can they not accept us?” Yunus added.

Yunus explained that India must pursue good relations with Bangladesh not because “we are forcing them” but because this is “necessary in their own interest.”

Years ago, Yunus argued that Bangladesh could benefit from being positioned between two giants – India and China. Reflecting on this, he remarked, “Many years ago, I had said that is a large advantage for us.”

“The fact that we are positioned between two large economies is a strength for us, not a weakness,” said Yunus, who is also known for his close ties with the United States and the West. “We can learn from both countries. We will have markets in both countries. Both countries will come to us,” he added.He stressed the importance of improving ties with India in South Asian diplomacy, while also advocating for a stronger South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). When asked about the possibility of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, Yunus replied, “We (the interim government) do not need to focus on these matters. We are working on judicial reforms. Once the judicial system is reformed, decisions regarding who will be judged and how they will be judged will naturally follow.”