Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh’s government, is expected to “bury the hatchet” with US President-elect Donald Trump and start afresh in working with the new American administration.
Analysts say while Yunus’ strained relationship with Trump is an open secret, Bangladesh’s “strategic appeal” as a country with close ties to India and China means the US government is likely to reciprocate Dhaka’s overtures.
“I suspect Yunus will be ready to bury the hatchet,” said Michael Kugelman, director of Washington-based South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think tank, noting that Trump’s election win came at a time when Bangladesh was trying to rebuild and stabilise in the post-Sheikh Hasina era.
“I don’t expect much criticism from Yunus now, and his warm congratulatory note to Trump sent an important signal in that regard,” Kugelman added.
Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader in August when a student-led uprising forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to leave the country after more than 15 years in power.
