Catherine West expects Prof. Yunus to present his vision

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, stated on Sunday that the United Kingdom expects Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus to outline his vision for how the situation in Bangladesh will unfold, as the interim government is committed to promoting national reconciliation.

Following her meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, West emphasized that the UK is keen to support the people of Bangladesh as they enter the next phase of development.

When asked by a journalist about the possibility of a level playing field for all political parties in the new political landscape, West responded, "Of course, and we expect Prof. Yunus to present his vision for how everything will evolve."

West acknowledged that the interim government of Bangladesh is dedicated to restoring peace, ensuring accountability, and fostering national reconciliation, adding that the UK government fully supports these efforts.

In response to a question about BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman's return, the British minister stated that individual cases were not discussed, but stressed the UK's desire to support the interim government during this transitional period. "We want to support the interim government in all its efforts," she said.

She also highlighted the strong ties between the people of Bangladesh and the UK, and praised the interim government’s determination to build a better democratic future for the people of Bangladesh.

"We share a strong, steadfast friendship with the people of Bangladesh, and we want to strengthen our partnership and continue to work towards a democratic future," West stated.

On topics ranging from economics and trade to security, migration, and climate change, West emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the two countries.

West, who arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday, said the people of Bangladesh deserve a peaceful future and accountability after a challenging period. "I am here to discuss how the UK can best support the interim government in stabilizing the economy and moving towards a peaceful and democratic future," she explained.

Regarding the Rohingya issue, West expressed the UK's commitment to providing additional support, announcing a further £10 million in aid to build appropriate shelters for refugees and provide food, medical supplies, and education for children.

Her visit marks the first UK ministerial visit to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government in August. During her trip, she met with political and business leaders and civil society representatives to discuss political, economic, and security issues, as well as UK-Bangladesh relations.

Catherine West reiterated, "The UK supports the interim government’s efforts to build a more prosperous and democratic future for the Bangladeshi people."

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, welcomed West’s visit, noting that it would strengthen the UK’s economic and security partnership with Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh is undergoing a transformation, and as a long-time friend, the UK will assist in the economic and political reforms that will help Bangladesh continue its social and economic growth and move towards an inclusive and democratic future," Cooke stated.

The UK’s support has already included the deployment of a specialized medical team to assist those injured during summer protests and new funding to provide essential services to Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them.

Since the establishment of the interim government in August 2024, the UK has made its support for the government's work on accountability and creating an inclusive democratic future for Bangladesh clear.

The UK minister is also scheduled to meet with student leaders and political parties to discuss support for Bangladesh’s democratic recovery, as well as with business leaders to discuss strengthening trade and investment ties.

The recently announced UK funding has already provided food for 200,000 Rohingya refugees for three months and will now extend further support, including clean water, sanitation, primary healthcare, protection services, and shelter materials for the refugees. Additionally, UK-funded assistance will support those affected by natural disasters in Bangladesh earlier this year.