Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has addressed questions surrounding the absence of a meeting with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his recent official visit to the United Kingdom.
Speaking to the BBC, Yunus commented on the missed opportunity, suggesting uncertainty over who should feel disappointed about the situation.
"I don’t know whether I should be disappointed, or he should be. Somehow, the opportunity slipped away, I don’t know why," Yunus remarked.
During his UK trip, Professor Yunus was awarded the prestigious Harmony Award by King Charles III for his contributions to nature and the environment. However, despite his formal status as Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, a meeting with the British Prime Minister did not take place.
When asked about the missed meeting, Yunus stated, "We would have been very happy to meet him. Perhaps he was busy, or there may have been other reasons." He added that this could instead be an opportunity to invite the British Prime Minister to Bangladesh for a more in-depth engagement. "When he comes to Bangladesh, we will have time to show him what has been happening here and what we aim to achieve. It will help him understand the current situation. We are at a historic moment, moving forward into a new future."
The BBC journalist pointed out the significance of the absence, considering the deep cultural and community ties between the UK and Bangladesh, home to nearly one million people of Bangladeshi heritage.
When asked if he was frustrated by the lack of a meeting despite being of equivalent political standing, Yunus responded, "I don’t know whether I should be disappointed, or he should be. Somehow, the opportunity slipped away."
When asked whether Downing Street provided any explanation, Professor Yunus said, "I don’t think we received any specific explanation. Perhaps he was engaged in other important matters."
During the same interview, Yunus also faced questions about the UK’s reduced aid to Bangladesh and the ongoing legal investigation involving British MP Tulip Siddiq, who has denied any wrongdoing.
The Chief Adviser remained focused on allowing legal processes to continue independently and emphasized his confidence in Bangladesh`s Anti-Corruption Commission.
