India and the United States both recognize the importance of a stable Bangladesh.
Before returning to Bangladesh to lead the interim government, Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, in an interview with India's NDTV, warned that instability in Bangladesh would have serious repercussions for West Bengal, Myanmar, and the entire northeastern region of India.
Currently, West Bengal is grappling with widespread protests following a brutal rape and murder case, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offering to resign. Manipur remains on high alert after a series of drone and rocket attacks have reignited ethnic violence. Meanwhile, Myanmar is in the depths of a severe human rights crisis, as described by James Rodehaver, head of the United Nations human rights team for Myanmar. If the Bay of Bengal doesn't already seem like a powder keg on the verge of explosion, it's a sign of willful ignorance.
However, the recent visit of a U.S. delegation to Bangladesh provides a glimmer of hope, signaling global awareness of the region's evolving situation. By the time this column is published, a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus and U.S. President Joe Biden will have occurred on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. On September 15, the U.S. delegation, which met with Prof. Yunus, included key figures such as Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Treasury; Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; Änjali Kaur, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia; and Brendan Lynch, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative.
During the visit, USAID signed a development agreement with Bangladesh worth over $200 million, aimed at promoting development, strengthening governance, expanding trade, and creating opportunities for the people of Bangladesh. Between 2021 and 2026, USAID has committed nearly $1 billion in support for the country’s progress toward a brighter and more prosperous future.
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