Since 5 August 2024, there has been an open attempt to label the July Uprising as “Pakistan-backed.” Various quarters are trying to frame the narrative that pro-Pakistan elements have returned to power. This has been accompanied by a wave of disinformation across social media. Civil society seems particularly engaged in this narrative amid recent tensions with India. There are sarcastic remarks about renewed high-level contact with Pakistan and speculation about a rekindled affection for the country. Rumours and misinformation abound on Facebook and other platforms – suggesting Bangladesh is turning towards Pakistan or creating a “new Pakistan.”
In this context, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary visited Dhaka last Wednesday. After a 15-year hiatus, a secretary-level meeting was held. The Pakistani Foreign Minister is expected to visit Bangladesh soon. In the meeting, Bangladesh showed no inclination to appease Pakistan. Rather, it engaged in a direct and confident dialogue. Bangladesh formally reiterated long-standing demands: an apology for the 1971 genocide, repayment of owed funds, and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. This marks an instance of Prof Muhammad Yunus’s “super diplomacy” with Pakistan.
During the meeting, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin urged resolution of the unresolved issues, signalling a new diplomatic posture. Bangladesh will pursue relations with Pakistan – but not at the expense of its dignity. This reflects the essence of Prof Yunus’s foreign policy. In diplomatic terms, this is called “super diplomacy.” The term has gained currency in today’s volatile global politics. When heads of state or prominent figures bypass traditional diplomatic channels to take direct action during a crisis, or when internationally renowned individuals leverage their reputations to resolve issues, it is termed “super diplomacy.” It is diplomacy with a Pragmatic flair – one that defends national interest through unconventional means. This style is increasingly being practiced worldwide.
Since taking office in August last year, Prof Yunus has consistently introduced bold and unconventional diplomatic manoeuvres. Departing from traditional diplomacy, he has used his personal stature and global recognition to elevate Bangladesh’s international standing and safeguard its interests in the global arena. The benefits of Prof Yunus’s “super diplomacy” are already becoming evident. He has persistently sought to turn global trends and conditions to Bangladesh’s advantage. Rather than relying on the sluggish pace of conventional diplomacy, he has focused on mutual trust and practical relationships to advance the country’s goals.
Take, for instance, the renewed channel of communication with Pakistan. Bangladesh is owed $4.3 billion by Pakistan. Stranded Pakistanis have remained in Bangladesh for decades without any progress on their repatriation. Pakistan’s armed forces have yet to formally apologise for the 1971 genocide. If we stop talking to Pakistan or sever ties entirely, it is ultimately Bangladesh that suffers. National interest must come first. Diplomacy is no place for anger or ego.
We defeated Pakistan in the 1971 Liberation War and achieved independence. But that does not mean we should have no relationship with Pakistan. Consider Malaysia and Singapore – Singapore separated from Malaysia and has since become more prosperous. Despite the bitter exit, Singapore has not severed ties; in fact, the two countries have developed even deeper relations. Or take Japan and the United States: the US devastated Japan with atomic bombs during World War II, a wound Japan still bears. Yet today, the US is one of Japan’s closest allies. The world has many such examples.
Pakistan has been paying the price for its past mistakes. We can and should maintain bilateral relations. International diplomacy is a practical necessity. The nature of diplomacy should be such that the country’s interests are ultimately preserved. Prof Yunus has pioneered that approach. For 15 years, we spread anti-Pakistan sentiment. But what did we gain? Did we recover the $4.3 billion? Did we send the stranded Pakistanis back? Did we secure an apology from Pakistan for 1971? No – on the contrary, we lost out. Thanks to Prof Yunus’s “super diplomacy,” we are now seeing improvement in relations and an open channel for dialogue about our owed funds. We know we won’t get the money immediately, but the process has begun – and Bangladesh formally raising this demand with Pakistan is a major diplomatic victory.
To truly understand Prof Yunus’s super diplomacy, we must look beyond Pakistan. Prof Yunus is an internationally acclaimed figure who can directly communicate with any head of state or government in the world. His stature allows him to negotiate in Bangladesh’s favour on almost any matter. A case in point: when the US under Donald Trump imposed a 37% tariff on Bangladeshi goods, Prof Yunus responded swiftly. He convened a meeting with advisers and relevant officials and decided to send a letter immediately. Would anyone else have done the same? Based on past experience, probably not. Typically, we would stay silent and wait for the US reaction. Our embassy in Washington would be asked for advice, and they would suggest patience. That was the old way of handling crises.
But not in the age of super diplomacy. Prof Yunus’s approach is to act quickly and protect national interests. That’s what he did. A letter was swiftly sent to the US President. The trade adviser also sent a formal letter. As a result, the US temporarily suspended tariffs on Bangladesh and 74 other countries. There’s little doubt that this outcome was due to Prof Yunus’s initiative.
We’ve seen strong ties with India in the past. But under the pretext of maintaining good relations, we also saw our national interests compromised. In the hope of India’s support and sympathy, we surrendered our dignity and made ourselves appear subservient. But Prof Yunus has taken a different route. He speaks of fostering good relations with India while also highlighting strategic opportunities – like how both countries can benefit from using the Bay of Bengal through India’s “Chicken’s Neck” corridor. This introduces a new philosophy in global diplomacy. At the same time, he’s been vocal about Bangladesh’s interests in dealings with India. This level of dignified diplomacy is something Bangladesh hasn’t seen in a long time.
India is our closest neighbour. We must maintain a relationship with them – neighbours can’t be changed. But the question is: what should be the nature of that relationship? Until recently, there was no clear idea. India was seen as a looming threat – we had to fear them, follow whatever they dictated. Prof Yunus rejected that notion. Instead, he emphasised the principle of equal standing between the two nations. He even bypassed conventional diplomatic channels and directly raised issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India has suspended transshipment facilities. But India will come to realise that such moves hurt India more than Bangladesh. And it is Prof Yunus, the Nobel Peace Laureate, who has created that space for realisation.
Looking at China, we see the same pattern. Prof Yunus visited China and presented major strategic proposals for Bangladesh’s development. He identified sectors that need Chinese investment and outlined areas where Bangladesh can benefit from Chinese support. Wherever Bangladesh’s interests were being undermined, he intervened directly – beyond traditional diplomatic frameworks.
Take the example of Bangladeshis who were sentenced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for supporting the 5 August uprising by protesting in that country. They were imprisoned under UAE law. But due to Prof Yunus’s personal intervention, they were released and repatriated to Bangladesh. This is a rare occurrence in UAE history – foreign convicts are almost never released in such a manner. This was possible solely because of Prof Yunus.
Over the past eight months, despite economic turbulence, Bangladesh’s economy has remained functional – mainly because our migrant workers have continued to send remittances with immense dedication. This is a sign of the diaspora’s trust and gratitude towards Prof Yunus. It’s another hallmark of super diplomacy.
Bangladesh previously had a minimal presence in international organisations. Our diplomats seemed content just to attend global forums, rather than represent the country with conviction. That scenario has changed under Prof Yunus. We saw how quickly the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report on the July uprising and the related violence in Bangladesh. International organisations are now engaging with Bangladesh differently.
We have observed that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights swiftly released a report on the mass killings during the July uprising in Bangladesh. International organisations are offering unwavering support and assistance to Bangladesh. This is a remarkable outcome of Prof Yunus’s super diplomacy. Prof Yunus is not only the head of a government – he is a global leader. That is precisely why Time magazine included Prof Yunus in its list of the 100 most influential people. The article about Prof Yunus in Time was written by former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Hillary is not just a former US Secretary of State; she is also one of the world’s most influential policymakers. She wrote, “Prof Yunus is leading Bangladesh out of the shadow of oppression.”
Prof Yunus is now a global statesman – a messenger of world peace. The international recognition and confidence in the July Revolution were made possible because of Prof Yunus’s leadership. He alone is confronting and countering all the disinformation and conspiracies in the global arena. As a result, under his leadership, Bangladesh is emerging on the world stage with a new identity. He consistently tells the world that there is much to learn from Bangladesh, much to take away from this nation. Prof Yunus is rebranding Bangladesh away from a weak image to one of vibrancy, youthful energy, and immense potential. Bangladesh is moving forward under Prof Yunus’s “super diplomacy.”
Audite Karim is a playwright and columnist. Email: [email protected]
