Bangladesh’s interim government orders envoys to return home immediately from Australia and India

Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered the recall of five senior diplomats, including the high commissioner to Australia and India, in a move that has sparked concerns within the country’s foreign service.

In addition to High Commissioner Muhammad Imran and High Commissioner Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, the diplomats being recalled are Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Muhammad Abdul Muhith; M Allama Siddiqui; ambassador to Belgium, Mahbub Hassan Saleh; and ambassador to Portugal, Rezina Ahmed.

Ahead of JWG meeting under TIFA to be held on 22 February 2022 in Canberra, High Commissioner @MohammadSufiur met with Minister @DanTehanWannon to discuss matters related to, among others, expanding trade and identifying scopes for investment between Bangladesh and Australia. pic.twitter.com/mxhiEBYwGe

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) February 17, 2022

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued separate notices to each of the diplomats, instructing them to relinquish their posts and return to Dhaka immediately.

“You are requested to return to Dhaka and hand over your current responsibilities immediately.”

The decision comes at a time when India-Bangladesh relations are strained, following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024 amid protests led by student organisations.

The caretaker administration, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, took over shortly after Hasina fled to India. Efforts by the interim government to arrange a meeting between Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the United Nations General Assembly in September were unsuccessful. Reportedly, India was displeased with Yunus’ alleged comments regarding Bangladesh’s domestic political situation and his suggestion of seeking Hasina’s extradition.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mr. Muhammad Imran paid a courtesy call on the Hon'ble President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhaban today. pic.twitter.com/fxej5xX1re

— Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi (@bdhc_delhi) September 13, 2022

High Commissioner Imran, a career diplomat, had been instrumental in fostering development cooperation between India and Bangladesh during his tenure, which began in July 2022.

Acting High Commissioner Nardia Simpson was honoured to meet Hon Chief Adviser Yunus earlier today. Ms Simpson said Australia was committed to working with the interim government and to building peace, stability and prosperity in our shared Indo-Pacific region. pic.twitter.com/eb0QkA3FPX

— Australian High Commission Bangladesh (@AusHCBangladesh) August 29, 2024

In a separate humanitarian context, the Australian government recently announced over $1.8 million in aid for flood relief in Bangladesh, where devastating floods have displaced more than half a million people.

This aid, which will be channelled through Oxfam and BRAC, is intended to provide lifesaving assistance to vulnerable groups, including women and children, affected by the disaster. Australia is a top donor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, which also contributed USD 17.7 million to address the crises in Bangladesh in 2024.

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