Major diplomatic reshuffle in Bangladesh by recalling five diplomats

Bangladesh’s interim government has recalled five ambassadors, including the envoy to neighboring India, as part of a significant diplomatic reshuffle.

The interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, came into power following weeks of violent protests that resulted in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5, prompting her to flee to India.

The foreign ministry instructed envoys in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi, and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York to return immediately to the capital, Dhaka.

The official, speaking anonymously, mentioned that they were directed to hand over their duties and return without further details.

This recall follows the earlier return of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner to Britain, who was also instructed to come back.

The student-led movement that led to Hasina’s ousting resulted in over 700 fatalities, straining relations with India. The two countries share a 4,000 km (2,500-mile) border and maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal.

Following the political changes, minority groups in Bangladesh have reported attacks on Hindus, although the government claims that the violence was politically motivated rather than religiously driven.