Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Bangladesh's foreign affairs advisor emphasized maintaining strong relations with India, China, and the United States. He highlighted the economic ties between India and China and India's alliance with the US while reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy. He also mentioned Dr. Yunus’ role in fostering international confidence in Bangladesh’s trajectory. When asked about the government's achievements over the past six months, he asserted that the country is progressing correctly in both economic and political spheres. Addressing past tensions with Pakistan, he noted that they were politically motivated and unnecessary, and efforts are being made to normalize relations. Acknowledging complexities surrounding Hasina’s asylum in India, the advisor stated that Bangladesh aims to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with all nations. Talks with China have focused on trade and development, while relations with the US remain unchanged.

The economic policies of the previous Awami League government trapped the country in a vicious cycle of corruption and mismanagement. Despite various rescue efforts, the economy continues to suffer from these systemic issues. One major problem is inflation, as commodity prices remain high. Although inflation has gradually decreased since October, consumers remain at the mercy of powerful syndicates that manipulate supply to charge higher prices. According to a former World Bank official in Dhaka, $16 billion was smuggled out of the country annually under Awami League rule, leaving the economy in a depleted state. Excessive printing of money led to rampant inflation, which peaked at 11.66% in July but has now dropped to 9.94%. The current administration is focused on reducing inflation and controlling capital flight, but the economy’s recovery remains uncertain due to continued dominance by corrupt business elites.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent remarks were made in her personal capacity and do not align with India’s official stance. He made this clarification following the summoning of the Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh on February 7. Jaiswal reaffirmed that India seeks a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. However, he expressed disappointment that official statements from Bangladeshi authorities often portray India in a negative light. He emphasized that Hasina’s statements were made in her individual capacity and do not represent India’s role in bilateral relations.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam has issued an apology on Facebook for his previous remarks about BBC Bangla. He stated that he wishes to correct his statement, acknowledging that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, the BBC had published interviews with Tarique Rahman despite restrictions. While he had accused BBC Bangla of being biased toward the ruling Awami League and Sheikh Hasina, he now retracts his remarks and apologizes. He admitted to perceiving a lack of objectivity in some reports but acknowledged that BBC Bangla strives to present factual accounts of events in Bangladesh. Earlier, he had controversially claimed that the BBC had become a staunch supporter of Sheikh Hasina.

India is yet to decide on Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to a written response by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in the Lok Sabha. Bangladesh has accused Hasina of various crimes committed before leaving the country. The Bangladeshi government is reportedly seeking her trial under the International Crimes Tribunal, which is investigating human rights violations during her tenure. There have been widespread allegations of crimes against humanity against Hasina, her family, and her party. Arrest warrants have been issued for 45 individuals, including Hasina. In response, Bangladesh formally requested her extradition from India.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have once again surpassed the $20 billion mark. At the beginning of the year, the gross reserve stood at $26.20 billion, while the BPM6-adjusted reserve was $21.36 billion. According to the latest data released on Thursday, the gross reserve now stands at $25.54 billion, while the BPM6-adjusted reserve is $20.20 billion. Earlier, on January 9, after clearing a $1.67 billion payment to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) for November and December imports, the reserve had dropped to $20 billion. Under the previous Awami League government, reserves had once fallen below $14 billion, which was then artificially inflated through foreign loans and dollar purchases from commercial banks. However, under the new administration, the central bank has halted reserve sales and is now working to source dollars from various channels.

On August 5, in the face of a student uprising, Sheikh Hasina, who had fled the country, gave a speech to the student wing of the Awami League. In response, enraged student protesters attacked and vandalized the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a place full of historical significance, on the night of February 5. This week, after Advisor Sheikh Hasina remarked that India should take responsibility if she engages in politics from its soil, Sheikh Hasina went live on the Awami League page! In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka. India clarified that it is not using Indian platforms. Subsequently, Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jayaswal expressed regret over the destruction of the historic residence of Sheikh Mujib, a symbol of bravery against occupation and oppression. The statement further emphasized that all those proud of their Bengali identity are aware of the importance of this residence.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh has lodged a formal protest with India over the activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing them as provocative. In response to a question, he confirmed that the Foreign Ministry had submitted a diplomatic note to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka but had yet to receive a reply. He described Hasina’s remarks as highly aggressive and offensive to the younger generation. Dhaka has urged New Delhi to restrain Hasina from making such statements, and officials are closely monitoring India’s response. Hossain also remarked that the controversial Adani deal was not in Bangladesh’s best interests and announced that the Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor would soon undertake an official visit to the UAE to discuss various bilateral issues, including visa policies.

The interim government has set a target to bring inflation down to 8% by June of the current fiscal year. This decision was made in a meeting chaired by the Chief Adviser on Wednesday. The meeting also discussed the revised budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The previous government allegedly did not present the real picture of inflation. Although the last finance minister had set a target of 6.5% inflation, post-government collapse instability led the economic adviser to revise the target to 7%. Currently, inflation stands at 9.94%. Additionally, the GDP growth target for 2024-25 was initially set at 6.8% but has now been revised down to 5.25% by the interim government. The revenue collection target has also been reduced from BDT 6.8 trillion to BDT 4.635 trillion.

Rezaul Islam, a Muslim M.Tech student from West Bengal, faced religious harassment on a train while returning from Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh. A group of passengers at Ranaghat Station taunted him over his faith, falsely accused him of being Bangladeshi, and expressed hatred toward Bangladesh, claiming that people like him were taking over Kolkata. He was physically assaulted, had his cap knocked off, and was threatened to be thrown off the train. He later filed an FIR with Kolkata Police.

At Rajshahi University, protesting students removed nameplates of four residential halls named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family and assigned new names. The protest began at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Square and escalated as students destroyed plaques using rods and hammers. They renamed Bangabandhu Hall to “Bijoy-24”, Kamaruzzaman Hall to “Shaheed Ali Raihan Hall”, Sheikh Hasina Hall to “Fatima Al-Fihriya Hall”, and Fazilatunnesa Hall to “Nawab Faizun Nesa Chowdhurani Hall”. Protesters denounced the government, calling it a fight against fascism and injustice.

In a meeting at the Jamuna State Guesthouse in Dhaka with Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh, Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus requested assistance in recovering funds that had been illicitly sent abroad. He accused Sheikh Hasina and her associates of stealing billions of dollars from the people, some of which were allegedly sent to Canada. The High Commissioner assured cooperation and praised Bangladesh’s reform initiatives, asking how they could assist further. He also mentioned that a Canadian minister would soon visit Bangladesh, and that Canada is interested in expanding business and investment ties with the country. The Chief Adviser suggested the opening of a Canadian visa office in Bangladesh, considering the interests of students.

Two people were killed in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila due to a long-standing property dispute. On February 4, in Bishutara village, Azad Mia (55) was attacked and killed by rivals led by Insan Mia. In retaliation, supporters of Azad Mia killed Insan’s associate, Amanat Mia (60), with a spear. Both victims were rushed to the hospital, where they were declared dead. Police have launched an investigation, and the situation is under control.

Social media posts in India falsely labeled footage of student clashes in Bangladesh as a ‘Hindu killing’. AFP fact-checking revealed no evidence of Hindu students’ deaths in the violence. The clashes, involving students from Dhaka’s colleges, were unrelated to religious tensions. The incident stemmed from a protest after the death of a student due to hospital negligence. Authorities confirmed that the violence was not religiously motivated, and no Hindu students were targeted or injured in the conflict.

Fears of a global trade war emerged after Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, causing the rupee to drop by 67 paise to 87.29. As investors sought safe-haven assets, the US dollar strengthened, weakening Asian currencies. Last week, India’s foreign exchange reserves faced a slight crisis, declining by $1.888 billion to $623.983 billion. The Indian stock market also saw a downturn, with the Sensex losing 575 points and the Nifty falling by 206 points.