Geopolitical Divide: Washington Mourns Muhammad Yunus Amidst New Delhi’s Skepticism Over ‘Anti-India’ Legacy
U.S. State Department Expresses ‘Deep Sadness’ Over Death of Nobel Laureate; Critics in India Point to Contentious ‘Greater Bangladesh’ Map and North East Threats
DHAKA/NEW DELHI — The death of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim administration, has triggered vastly different reactions from the world’s two largest democracies. While the U.S. government issued a high-level condolence message praising his global contribution to microfinance, New Delhi remains reflective of a brief but turbulent tenure marked by strained bilateral ties and alleged threats to India’s territorial integrity.
Washington Hails a ‘Global Visionary’
Within hours of the announcement from Dhaka, the U.S. State Department released a statement expressing “profound sadness.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Yunus as a “visionary who dedicated his life to lifting millions out of poverty.” Washington’s warmth toward Yunus was consistent with its support for the interim government he led following the August 2024 uprising.
Diplomatic analysts suggest that the U.S. viewed Yunus as a stabilizing, secular force capable of steering Bangladesh toward elections. However, this praise has met with sharp criticism from Indian strategic circles, who argue that Washington ignored the radical shifts that occurred under his watch.
The ‘Seven Sisters’ Controversy and Indian Skepticism
In India, the reaction has been significantly more muted. While official condolences were extended as per diplomatic protocol, the prevailing narrative in the Indian media and political landscape is focused on the “Security Crisis” Yunus’s administration allegedly fostered.
Just weeks prior to his passing, Yunus was embroiled in a major controversy involving a “Greater Bangladesh” map presented to foreign dignitaries, which included parts of India’s North East. Furthermore, his administration’s proximity to leaders like Hasnat Abdullah—who openly threatened to “isolate the Seven Sisters”—led many in New Delhi to conclude that Yunus was presiding over a regime that “wanted to break India.”
A Polarized Legacy in South Asia
The death of Yunus leaves Bangladesh at a critical crossroads. To his supporters and the West, he remains a Nobel Peace Prize winner who stepped in during a national crisis. To his detractors in India, he represents a period where radical Islamist elements regained ground, and anti-India sentiment became a tool of statecraft.
As Bangladesh prepares for a leadership transition, the security of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the stability of the Siliguri Corridor remain New Delhi’s top priorities. The “contentious legacy” of the Yunus era is expected to shadow India-Bangladesh relations for years to come.