The government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has instructed five diplomats, including its ambassador to India, to return to Dhaka immediately, as reported by the Bangla daily Prothom Alo.
The interim administration has recalled its envoys from Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi, and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York. The diplomats being recalled include: Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner to India; Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York; Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Ambassador to Belgium; M. Allama Siddiqui, High Commissioner to Australia; and Rezina Ahmed, Ambassador to Portugal.
This significant diplomatic reshuffle follows the earlier recall of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner to the United Kingdom, who was also ordered to return.
Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned on August 5 amid violent student-led protests and subsequently fled to India. Yunus was appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on August 8.
The widespread protests began over a controversial job quota system, initially sparked by demands for equitable employment opportunities, but quickly grew into a broader movement against systemic corruption and authoritarian governance.