Bangladesh’s Yunus names student leaders in interim cabinet

World leaders weigh in

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his best wishes to Yunus but also alluded to reports that Hindus had been targeted by violence in the Muslim-majority country in recent days.

“We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities,” Modi said on social media.

“India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.”

The prime minister of Pakistan — from which Bangladesh fought a bloody independence war in 1971 — also congratulated Yunus on Friday.

“Wishing him great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future. I look forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead,” Shehbaz Sharif said on social media.

Meanwhile, China also said it had “noted the establishment of an interim government of Bangladesh and welcomes this.”

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Beijing had “always upheld the principle of not interfering in other countries’ internal affairs” and “respected the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people.”