Outgoing interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, on Monday said his 18-month tenure restored three core pillars of Bangladesh’s foreign engagement—“sovereignty, national interests, and dignity”—and declared that the country is no longer “submissive” in its international relations.
In his televised farewell address to the nation, Yunus stated that by the end of his administration, “Today’s Bangladesh is confident, active, and responsible in protecting its independent interests.”
“Bangladesh is no longer a country with a submissive foreign policy or dependent on the instructions and advice of other countries,” he added a day before stepping down from power.
Yunus emphasised that his 18-month leadership had rebuilt what he called the three “fundamental foundations” of the country’s diplomacy: sovereignty, national interests, and dignity.
The speech comes as Yunus faces domestic criticism over his administration’s handling of minority safety, the democratic transition, and foreign policy.
Yunus’ interim government began in August 2024 and is set to conclude its unscheduled term with the swearing-in of a new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday.
The BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority in the general elections held four days ago.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman led the party to win 209 of 297 seats in the 13th Parliamentary elections on February 12.
“I call upon everyone, regardless of party, creed, religion, caste and gender, to continue the struggle to build a just, humane, and democratic Bangladesh. With this appeal, I bid farewell with great optimism,” Yunus said.
Yunus, who served as chief adviser—effectively the prime minister—highlighted Bangladesh’s open sea as a key “strategic asset,” offering significant economic opportunities for the South Asian nation.
He stressed the potential for regional cooperation involving Nepal, Bhutan, and “northeastern India.”
“Our open sea is not merely a geographical boundary; it is a gateway to the global economy,” he said, adding that connectivity will be central to the country’s next phase of development.
He proposed enhanced sub-regional economic cooperation through trade agreements, economic zones, and maritime access via Bangladesh.
Yunus also highlighted his government’s legislative achievements, noting that it introduced around 130 new laws, amended existing ones, and issued 600 executive orders, about 84% of which have been implemented.
Regarding port management, Yunus said, “We have come a long way in signing agreements with leading international port management companies to bring our ports’ efficiency up to international standards. If we cannot increase efficiency, we will lag behind in economic achievements.”
Earlier Monday, Yunus met with senior bureaucrats and participated in a photo session with his office staff. Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman also paid a farewell visit, and Yunus thanked the military for supporting the general election. On Sunday, he chaired the final meeting of his advisory council.
During Yunus’s tenure, Dhaka’s relations with India deteriorated, fueled by New Delhi’s concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, following the December killing of radical youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
Several foreign analysts said Yunus earned limited foreign policy achievements, while ties with India reached their lowest point.
Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said political tensions with India spilled into economic relations, “preventing the easing of tariff and non-tariff barriers that could boost bilateral trade.”
Foreign relations analyst Mustafizur Rahman noted that while Yunus’s government improved ties with Pakistan, it did so without building domestic political consensus.
Security and political analyst Nasir Uddin said, “Whatever he (Yunus) said or called in his farewell address, his regime, apparently with a deliberate effort, divided further an already polarised Bangladesh, leaving behind a fragile political scenario, promoting far-right elements.”
