Wednesday, 22 January, 2025
The U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has said that both the United States and India are united in their call for the swift restoration of democracy and the holding of democratic elections in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Garcetti conveyed this stance during an interview with the Indian news outlet World Is One News (WION).
During the interview, WION journalist Dhiraj Patel posed a question, noting, “We saw Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh, which was seen as a setback for India. There’s also the rise of Jamaat-e-Islami and increased Chinese engagement. What is your perspective on the situation?”
Garcetti’s remarks highlighted the shared priorities of the U.S. and India regarding political stability and democratic processes in Bangladesh, amid growing regional dynamics and geopolitical shifts.
In response, Garcetti said: “I think we both share the principle that we want to see a peaceful, democratic South Asia. And we share those principles. We are coordinating on that together. We have spoken out clearly that whether it is Bangladesh, or any country, religious minorities should not be persecuted.”
“And I think we have an opportunity. Both of us want to see democracy and democratic elections established in Bangladesh as soon as possible. And that can help Bangladesh open its next chapter. It’s not about the past. It's about what we can do together. And India and the United States have never acted together around the world more closely than today.”
The BNP and its allies are at odds with the interim government over the timing of the general election following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the mass uprising.
During his speech on Victory Day, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus indicated the possible election schedule.
He said the timing of the election would depend on the political consensus and the extent of reforms implemented before the polls.
"Broadly, the 13th parliamentary election could take place between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," Yunus said.
The BNP, however, has expressed dissatisfaction with Yunus' open-ended timeline and is pressing for a specific date for the polls.
The government, on the other hand, maintains that announcing an election date hinges on the findings of the commissions formed as part of the state reform process.
Despite this, the BNP has urged the interim government to ensure that the 13th parliamentary election takes place by mid-year.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the party's Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, reiterated their stance: "We have repeatedly emphasized that there is no alternative to an elected government. This is the cornerstone of democracy. We firmly believe that elections are feasible by mid-year, specifically between July and August."
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The U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has said that both the United States and India are united in their call for the swift restoration of democracy and the holding of democratic elections in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Garcetti conveyed this stance during an interview with the Indian news outlet World Is One News (WION).
During the interview, WION journalist Dhiraj Patel posed a question, noting, “We saw Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh, which was seen as a setback for India. There’s also the rise of Jamaat-e-Islami and increased Chinese engagement. What is your perspective on the situation?”
Garcetti’s remarks highlighted the shared priorities of the U.S. and India regarding political stability and democratic processes in Bangladesh, amid growing regional dynamics and geopolitical shifts.
In response, Garcetti said: “I think we both share the principle that we want to see a peaceful, democratic South Asia. And we share those principles. We are coordinating on that together. We have spoken out clearly that whether it is Bangladesh, or any country, religious minorities should not be persecuted.”
“And I think we have an opportunity. Both of us want to see democracy and democratic elections established in Bangladesh as soon as possible. And that can help Bangladesh open its next chapter. It’s not about the past. It's about what we can do together. And India and the United States have never acted together around the world more closely than today.”
The BNP and its allies are at odds with the interim government over the timing of the general election following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the mass uprising.
During his speech on Victory Day, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus indicated the possible election schedule.
He said the timing of the election would depend on the political consensus and the extent of reforms implemented before the polls.
"Broadly, the 13th parliamentary election could take place between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," Yunus said.
The BNP, however, has expressed dissatisfaction with Yunus' open-ended timeline and is pressing for a specific date for the polls.
The government, on the other hand, maintains that announcing an election date hinges on the findings of the commissions formed as part of the state reform process.
Despite this, the BNP has urged the interim government to ensure that the 13th parliamentary election takes place by mid-year.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the party's Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, reiterated their stance: "We have repeatedly emphasized that there is no alternative to an elected government. This is the cornerstone of democracy. We firmly believe that elections are feasible by mid-year, specifically between July and August."
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