U.S. President Joe Biden met with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, marking a pivotal moment in U.S.-Bangladesh relations. The two leaders discussed the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh and the sacrifices made by student protesters that led to the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government last month. Biden praised the student-led protest movement and reaffirmed U.S. support for Bangladesh’s rebuilding efforts under Yunus’s interim administration.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the UNGA, was the first between a U.S. president and a Bangladeshi leader in over two decades. Yunus, who assumed leadership of Bangladesh after Hasina’s resignation on August 5, is overseeing the country’s transition toward a new era, with widespread reform efforts underway. Biden emphasized the shared democratic values between the U.S. and Bangladesh and expressed his admiration for the courage of the student activists.
“If the students could do so much sacrifice for their country, the U.S. can do more to help,” Biden reportedly said, according to a statement from Bangladesh’s U.N. Mission. The American president offered continued U.S. support as Bangladesh navigates its political transition and tackles its reform agenda.
The Context: A Nation in Flux
Bangladesh has been through a turbulent few months. The mass protests that swept across the nation, driven primarily by university students, escalated to violence in July, leading to the eventual resignation of Hasina’s government. The demonstrations, triggered by alleged corruption, human rights abuses, and questions over the legitimacy of the 2023 general election, culminated in the collapse of a regime that had held power for nearly 15 years.
During his meeting with Biden, Yunus recounted the “sacrifices of the students,” some of whom lost their lives during clashes with security forces. “The students rose against the tyranny of the previous government and gave their lives to create this opportunity,” Yunus reportedly told Biden.
The fall of Hasina’s government marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape. Her administration had long been criticized both domestically and internationally for suppressing dissent, manipulating electoral outcomes, and overseeing human rights abuses, notably through the actions of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh’s elite police unit. These accusations eventually led to U.S. sanctions on RAB and several senior Bangladeshi officials in 2021.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The meeting between Biden and Yunus was hailed by analysts as a crucial step in resetting U.S.-Bangladesh relations. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, underscored the significance of the event.
“From a symbolic standpoint, this meeting is a major milestone for U.S.-Bangladesh relations. It’s the first formal, bilateral meeting between the top leaders of each country since Bill Clinton met Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka in 2000,” Kugelman said. “In effect, what happened in New York today hadn’t happened in nearly a quarter century. That’s nothing to sneeze at.”
The White House released a brief statement summarizing the discussions, affirming a close partnership “rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties.” Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and emphasized U.S. readiness to assist Bangladesh as it implements its new reforms.
Yunus’s International Diplomacy
Yunus, 84, is known globally for his pioneering work in microcredit and poverty alleviation. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work with the Grameen Bank, helping to lift millions out of poverty in Bangladesh. Now, as the chief adviser of the interim administration, he is tasked with steering the country through its political transition.
His visit to New York is his first overseas trip since taking office. On Tuesday, he attended the opening session of the UNGA, met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and held talks with Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yunus also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and participated in a session of the Clinton Global Initiative.
Yunus presented both Biden and Trudeau with a book of murals painted by Bangladeshi students during the protest movement, underscoring the role of youth in shaping the country’s future.
Humanitarian Support for Rohingya Refugees
In a separate event at the U.N., the U.S. State Department announced nearly $199 million in new aid for Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them in Bangladesh and other Asian countries. The funding includes almost $70 million through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, with an additional $129 million from USAID.
Bangladesh currently hosts around one million Rohingya refugees in camps in Cox’s Bazar, a district near the Myanmar border. These refugees fled Myanmar following a brutal military crackdown in 2017. The new U.S. aid package will provide food, healthcare, and shelter for the refugees, as well as support for host communities.
A Reset in U.S.-Bangladesh Relations?
Relations between the U.S. and Bangladesh have been strained in recent years, particularly during Hasina’s tenure. In December 2021, the U.S. imposed financial sanctions on RAB and six of its officers due to allegations of human rights violations. Hasina’s administration faced widespread criticism from the international community for its handling of dissent and for allegedly rigging elections. Tensions flared again in late 2022 when U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas was forced to cut short a visit to the family of a missing opposition leader due to protests.
Earlier this year, the United States and the United Kingdom condemned the 2023 general election, calling it neither free nor democratic. In response, Hasina accused the U.S. of meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and attempting to install an “undemocratic party” in power.
However, the political shift in Bangladesh has provided a new opportunity to reset bilateral relations. “There’s already been a reset, and it happened earlier this year when Hasina was still in power,” Kugelman noted. “Washington signaled that it was prepared for a fresh start in bilateral ties and that it wanted to move on from tensions over elections and democracy.”
With Yunus in charge, the prospects for improved relations seem bright. Yunus, widely respected in Washington for his humanitarian work, is seen as a trustworthy figure capable of guiding Bangladesh through this transition period.
Challenges Ahead for Yunus’s Interim Government
Yunus’s interim government faces significant challenges as it seeks to stabilize the country and implement key reforms ahead of the next general election. Bangladesh’s army chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, has indicated that elections could take place within the next 12 to 18 months, and the military appears to back Yunus’s administration.
“I will stand beside him. Come what may. So that he can accomplish his mission,” Gen. Zaman told Reuters on Tuesday, affirming the military’s support for the interim government.
Despite this backing, Yunus has not yet given any indication of when elections might be held. His administration is focused on reforming state institutions, improving transparency, and addressing the economic challenges facing Bangladesh, including inflation and unemployment.
As Yunus addresses the U.N. General Assembly later this week, the international community will be watching closely to see how Bangladesh navigates its political and economic transition. With U.S. support now firmly behind him, Yunus will be tasked with leading Bangladesh toward a new era of democratic governance and development.
The reset in U.S.-Bangladesh relations could have far-reaching implications for South Asia, especially as Washington seeks to strengthen its ties with key regional players amid growing competition with China. For Bangladesh, the future hinges on whether Yunus can successfully steer the country through its current challenges and prepare it for a free and fair election in the coming years.
