Relationship with neighbours should be based on fairness, equality: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reiterated that they want good relations with India and other neighbouring countries.

But, he said, that relationship should be based on fairness and equality.

"With India, we have already started discussions on high-level bilateral cooperation in dealing with floods," Prof Yunus said in a televised speech in the evening marking the first month of his government.

He said he has taken the initiative to revive the SAARC grouping of nations with a view to enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia, UNB reports.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif are among the heads of government that have had telephone conversations with him, Prof Yunus said.

After assuming office, Prof Yunus said, the Heads of Government of various countries congratulated him over the telephone and sent greetings.

Ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka met him and assured him of strengthening bilateral cooperation.

“At my request, the government of the United Arab Emirates announced amnesty to 57 Bangladeshis who were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for participating in anti-fascist protests,” Prof Yunus said.

Some of them have already returned to the country. “It’s very rare.”

Prof Yunus said they want the country to be known with respect to the world as a democratic country.