Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has embarked on an assertive and multidirectional foreign policy drive, shifting from the India-tilted approach of the previous ousted regime, engaging global leaders in what analysts call a "360-degree diplomacy" across continents.International observers widely anticipated that any administration following the long-standing rule of ousted Sheikh Hasina would face considerable diplomatic challenges, particularly due to the entrenched India-focused foreign policy of her tenures.However, Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has thus far defied those anticipations, leveraging his global reputation and diplomatic acumen to manage a smooth transition and chart a more balanced foreign policy course.
Since assuming office in August 2024, the Nobel Peace Laureate has intensified high-level diplomatic outreach through bilateral and multilateral engagements, aiming to reposition Bangladesh on the global stage amid a sensitive domestic transition and fast-evolving regional geopolitical dynamics.
As part of this broader diplomatic strategy, Professor Yunus is scheduled to depart early tomorrow for a four-day official visit to Japan that includes participation in the 30th Nikkei Forum and a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Significantly, the Japan visit was confirmed prior to professor Yunus's recent crucial trip to China, an intentional sequencing that underscores his administration's commitment to balanced diplomacy amid a period of heightened global polarization.
In a geopolitical environment marked by rapid shifts and strategic recalibrations, Professor Yunus's foreign policy moves signal a deliberate effort to reposition Bangladesh as a constructive and independent actor on the international arena.
From Biden to Xi and from Xi to Modi and from regional capitals to multilateral forums, his outreach has extended in all directions - east, west, north, and south - the 360 degree approach in terms of international politics that refers to a holistic and comprehensive approach to foreign policy.
Analysts say this multi-front diplomacy marks a strategic recalibration of Bangladesh's external engagement, seeking both traditional partnerships and emerging alliances to ensure national stability, economic recovery, and global credibility amid political transition.
First Major Diplomatic Breakthrough: UAE Pardons Bangladeshi Detainees
Professor Yunus's first key diplomatic success came when over a hundred Bangladeshi expatriates detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for participating in protests-aligned with Bangladesh's student-led movement-were granted clemency.
Initially sentenced to lengthy prison terms by the UAE Federal Court, the detainees were released following a direct conversation between the Chief Adviser and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Foreign Affair Adviser Md Touhid Hossain termed the development as an extraordinary achievement, stating, "Such an incident is unprecedented."
He credited Professor Yunus's global stature and strategic diplomacy in clarifying that the protests were rooted in Bangladesh's domestic affairs and not aimed at any foreign government.
Meeting Western leaders
Dr. Yunus made his debut as a statesman in international arena joining the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2024, where he held a significant meeting with US President Joe Biden.Their talks on the sidelines of the UNGA centered on strengthening Bangladesh ties with the world's biggest democracy, fostering democratic resilience, and enhancing trade and investment opportunities.
Dr. Yunus's talks with Biden was followed by the meeting with his longtime friend former US President Bill Clinton at an event hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative, where both figures emphasized social entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
Continuing the momentum, the Chief Adviser attended 16 high-level events on a single day on September 26 taking Bangladesh's stake on a higher scale in international arena.
On that day he met the Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Canada, and Italy; Presidents of Brazil and Mauritius; the President of the World Bank; the Managing Director of the IMF; and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
In his speech at the UNGA, the Chief Adviser made a clarion call urging the international community to engage with the "new Bangladesh", which aims to realise freedom and democracy for everyone.
Earlier this year Dr Yunus earned a confirmation of support for his administration from a major western nation when the British prime minister sent a high level delegation to Bangladesh.
The British mission conveyed UK's continued UK support for Bangladesh, reaffirming London's commitment to deepen economic and strategic ties with Dhaka, particularly in the post-Brexit context.
Global Endorsements Begin: Malaysian PM leads high-level visits backing Yunus
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim became the first foreign head of government to visit Dhaka following the political transition, signaling robust support for the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
On October 4, Anwar arrived with high-powered 58-member delegation-comprising ministers of investment, trade and industry, foreign affairs, the deputy ministers of transport and religious affairs, and members of parliament-reflecting Malaysia's strong diplomatic endorsement of Yunus's leadership.
Anwar, who has known Prof Yunus for over four decades, praised his enduring commitment to democracy and social justice, expressing confidence in Yunus's capacity to guide Bangladesh toward a more inclusive and rights-based future.
"I know you personally. I know your passion for the lives of men and women, human rights, and human dignity. I fully support your position," Anwar said during a joint press appearance, following his bilateral meeting with Prof Yunus.
Two months later, Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta made his first-ever visit to Bangladesh, attending Victory Day celebrations as the nation's guest of honor.
Beyond ceremonial significance, the visit underscored Dhaka's pivot toward strategic alliances in Southeast Asia amid ongoing critical situation in Myanmar.
The diplomatic weight of these visits lies in regional calculus as ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has growing leverage over Myanmar and could prove crucial in pressuring Naypyidaw on the Rohingya crisis.
Simultaneously, Timor-Leste-on track to gain full ASEAN membership, emerges as a future voice in the bloc's internal dynamics.
Yunus champions 'three zero' vision at cop29, expands climate diplomacy with world leaders
Chief Adviser Professor Yunus reinforced his position as a global voice for ethical leadership and sustainable development during his participation in the COP29 climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November.
Delivering a compelling address at the World Leaders' Climate Action Summit, Prof Yunus proposed a bold new global framework - a civilisation built on "three zeroes": zero carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment.
"I seek your indulgence to share with you my longstanding dream of creating a new world of three zeroes," the Nobel Peace Laureate told world leaders and climate experts gathered for the high-level session.
The address was met with wide interest from global delegates, as Yunus positioned Bangladesh not only as a vulnerable country impacted by climate change but also as a thought leader offering pathways for planetary healing.
Beyond the speech, Prof Yunus conducted a full-scale diplomatic engagement during the summit, meeting over 20 heads of state and government, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Prime Ministers and Presidents of Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Belgium, Ghana, and several others.
In his meeting with President Erdogan, Yunus received an invitation to visit Turkey and was assured of Ankara's full support for Bangladesh's ongoing reforms.
Prof. Yunus also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres during a high-level LDC meeting and exchanged views with former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, Brazilian Vice President's spouse Lu Alckmin, and heads of international organisations including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and FIFA.
At a youth dialogue on the summit sidelines, Yunus encouraged young people to dream boldly and shape the world they wish to live in. "If you dream, there's a very good chance your life will change," he told them. "If you don't dream, it won't happen."
By combining visionary policy, grassroots empowerment, and high-level diplomacy, Prof. Yunus's presence at COP29 positioned Bangladesh as both a frontline climate state and a driver of ethical, inclusive global reform.
Unified EU engagement: all 27 ambassadors meet Prof Yunus in landmark diplomatic outreach
In an unprecedented show of unified diplomatic engagement, all 27 ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member states-stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi-held a joint meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus in the capital on December 09.
Led by Michael Miller, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh and Head of the EU Delegation, the landmark meeting marked the first time the entire EU diplomatic corps convened with the Bangladeshi government, reflecting the bloc's collective commitment to deepening its partnership with Dhaka.
Foreign ministry officials described the gathering as a significant milestone in Bangladesh-EU relations, particularly in light of the evolving global and regional context.
While seven EU ambassadors are based in Dhaka, the participation of their 20 counterparts from New Delhi underscored the extraordinary nature of the engagement, signaling the EU's growing confidence in Bangladesh's leadership and commitment to multidimensional cooperation.
Prof Yunus shines on global stage with bold diplomacy at WEF
The World Economic Forum (WEF) invitation to Dr. Yunus to join its prestigious and crucial annual meet in Switzerland's in Davos in January 2025 added another feather to the hat of the interim government.
In a landmark diplomatic outing, joining 47 formal and informal events, Yunus held back-to-back meetings with global leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UN Secretary-General Ant›nio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and heads of states from Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Finland, and Thailand.
He used these platforms to advocate for digital inclusion, sustainable development, and justice for Bangladesh by recovering the billions looted by the ousted regime.
At a time of geopolitical fragmentation, his presence in Davos-alongside 50 world leaders and top CEOs-reflected Bangladesh's aspiration to act as a constructive global player.
Yunus spoke at high-profile forums such as the "State of Climate and Nature" plenary, addressed the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and engaged with leaders of Meta, DP World, Amnesty International, the World Bank, and Maersk.
The Chief Adviser also grabbed the attention of global media, with interviews scheduled with Reuters, CNBC International, and Financial Times.
Dr Yunus's whirlwind diplomacy in Davos not only elevated Bangladesh's voice on global platforms but also confirmed that under his leadership, Dhaka is pivoting towards principled multilateralism and diversified strategic alliances.
UN chief's Dhaka visit underscores Yunus's global leverage on Rohingya crisis and reforms
The four-day visit of United Nations Secretary-General Ant›nio Guterres to Bangladesh from March 13-16 offered a compelling affirmation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus's growing international stature and his proactive diplomacy in steering Bangladesh through one of the most complex humanitarian and political transitions in its history.
Guterres's visit was framed around solidarity with the Rohingyas and recognition of Bangladesh's evolving leadership role in regional stability and global humanitarian cooperation.
In a rare display of diplomatic symbolism and grassroots engagement, Yunus and Guterres travelled together to Cox's Bazar, where they joined nearly 100,000 Rohingyas and host community members for iftar, a gesture described by UN officials as "a mission of solidarity."
During the visit, Guterres acknowledged the leadership of Prof. Yunus expressing the UN's full readiness to support national dialogue, reform, and healing.
In Dhaka, the Secretary-General's engagements also included meetings with youth leaders and civil society, as well as discussions on the UN Fact Finding Mission's recommendations regarding Bangladesh's July-August uprising.
Through this visit, Prof. Yunus not only strengthened Bangladesh's case on the global stage regarding the Rohingya crisis but also reinforced the interim government's diplomatic credibility at a time of significant national transition.
Strengthening Ties with China
On March 28, Dr. Yunus met President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the Chinese leader accorded him a rare honour by personally stepping out of his office to greet him upon his arrival.
During the meeting, President Xi expressed China's full support for Bangladesh's interim government and pledged to expand economic and technical cooperation between the two nations.
Dr. Yunus sought Chinese investment in Bangladesh, particularly in the development of special economic zones and infrastructure projects, including establishing modern medical facilities.
President Xi assured positive consideration of these proposals, highlighting China's interest in strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The two leaders also discussed regional issues, including river management and the Rohingya crisis.
Dr. Yunus requested China's assistance in formulating a 50-year master plan for a comprehensive river and water management in Bangladesh.
During his visit to China, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus secured a major boost in Dhaka-Beijing ties, with breakthroughs in both medical cooperation and strategic infrastructure.
Bangladesh lauded China's support in facilitating medical treatment for Bangladeshi patients in Yunnan Province, following the recent visit of a delegation of patients, doctors, and travel agents to Kunming, signaling a shift in Dhaka's longstanding reliance on India for medical cooperation.
In a significant development, Chinese authorities also expressed interest in building modern hospitals in Bangladesh.
On the infrastructure front, Yunus invited Chinese investment in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), highlighting his administration's push to strengthen regional connectivity and water resource management through diversified partnerships.
BIMSTEC Chairmanship: Yunus Advances Regional Vision in Bangkok
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus reinforced Bangladesh's regional leadership by assuming the chairmanship of BIMSTEC at the 6th Summit held in Bangkok in April, where he outlined a vision for an inclusive and action-oriented Bay of Bengal community.
In a significant development, Dr. Yunus held his first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit.
The meeting marked the first high-level engagement between the two countries since the political transition in Bangladesh in August 2024 with the ouster of the nearly 16-year Awami League regime.
During the meeting, Chief Adviser Yunus raised the issue of his government's earlier request for the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face trial and also called for discussions with India to renew the Ganges Water Treaty and conclude the pending Teesta Water Sharing Agreement.
"We seek to work together with you to set the relationship on the right track for the benefit of both our peoples," he said, referring to the challenges of bilateral ties when the Indian premier said New Delhi always attached "highest priority" to its relationship with Bangladesh.
Apart from his Indian counterpart, Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the summit's sidelines, where he urged to simplify visa procedures for Bangladeshi citizens-particularly medical patients seeking treatment in Thailand.
Beyond consular facilitation, the two leaders explored ways to strengthen trade, investment, and connectivity between Bangladesh and Thailand. Yunus proposed the reintroduction of direct flights between Chattogram and Thailand, citing the past success of the Chattogram-Chiang Mai route operated by AirAsia.
Prime Minister Shinawatra congratulated Yunus on his appointment as BIMSTEC Chair and expressed confidence in his ability to reinvigorate the regional bloc.
On the sideline, Yunus also held separate meetings with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harinia Amarasuriya, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment to regional cooperation.
A Balanced Diplomatic Approach
These engagements reflect Dr. Yunus's 360-degree diplomatic strategy, aiming to position Bangladesh as a proactive and balanced player in regional and global affairs.
By fostering constructive relationships with neighboring countries and major powers, Bangladesh seeks to enhance economic development, regional stability, and international cooperation.
Observers note that Dr. Yunus's approach underscores Bangladesh's commitment to a foreign policy that is inclusive and pragmatic for the country's long-term national interests.
Instead of aligning exclusively with any power bloc, the interim government under Dr Yunus preferred to engage with all key players-major powers, neighbours, and multilateral bodies alike.
A senior foreign ministry official termed it as a "truly 360-degree approach" as Dhaka was speaking to everyone, balancing its interests, and showing the world that the South Asian nation is open, stable, and forward-looking under Dr Yunus.
Analysts note that such a diplomatic style reflects the Nobel Laureate's long-standing global reputation while his moral authority and non-partisan image made foreign capitals more willing to engage openly with Dhaka in this transitional period.
US officials visit Dhaka
Despite speculations about Dhaka-Washington relations against the backdrop of massive political shift with the election of President Donald Trump, two senior US State Department officials of the new administration - Deputy Assistant Secretaries Nicole A Chulick and Andrew Herrup - visited Dhaka in April 2025, signaling Washington's continued strategic interest in Bangladesh.
They met Dr. Yunus and discussed about regional security, Rohingya crisis, democratic governance, institutional reforms, labour rights and expanding US investment in Bangladesh's tech and apparel sectors.
The visit signified Washington's continued support for Bangladesh's political transition and appreciation of Dr Yunus's leadership.
Dialogue with the Muslim world in Qatar
The Chief Adviser paid a four-day official visit to Doha at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani where he received assurance of all possible supports from the oil-rich nation to rebuild Bangladesh.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, assured that Doha would extend all possible supports to rebuild Bangladesh.
"We count on your continued leadership," the Qatari Premier told Prof Yunus, expressing his confidence that Bangladesh would accomplish the ongoing reforms and rebuild the process much stronger in the years to come.
Strategic Outreach to Japan: Economic Diplomacy takes center stage
As part of his broader diplomatic initiative to recalibrate Bangladesh's global partnerships, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will embark on a four-day official visit to Japan from May 28 to 31.
Tokyo is expected to accord him a red-carpet welcome, including a guard of honour, underscoring the importance Japan places on its ties with the interim government in in Dhaka.
During the visit, Professor Yunus will hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 30, with a primary focus on securing a $1 billion soft loan to support Bangladesh's budgetary needs.
The agenda reflects a shift in emphasis toward economic diplomacy, as the two sides prepare to sign seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering energy cooperation, manpower export, special economic zones, and human resource development.
Talks will span a broad spectrum of bilateral and multilateral issues including trade, investment, security, regional stability, and the Rohingya crisis.
Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen engagement with Bangladesh under its Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, aiming to promote high-quality infrastructure development and integration into Japanese manufacturing value chains.
Diplomatic sources indicate that both nations are looking to further expand the Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership with renewed emphasis on economic connectivity, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties.
Professor Yunus's participation at the 30th Nikkei Forum, alongside global leaders including the Presidents of Laos and Palau, and the Prime Ministers of Japan and Cambodia, signals Bangladesh's intent to reassert its relevance in regional and global policy dialogues.
Reviving international focus on the Rohingya crisis
As part of his broad-based diplomacy, Dr Yunus has also prioritized reinvigorating international attention on the protracted Rohingya crisis, one of the most pressing humanitarian and security challenges for Bangladesh.
During his high-level meetings at the UNGA, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cop 29 in Baku, and bilateral talks with key world leaders, he consistently raised the urgency of safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya population to Myanmar.
Observers note that the issue has once again regained prominence in global conversations, with several development partners reaffirming their commitment to support Bangladesh's humanitarian efforts.
At Dr Yunus's request, the United Nations has agreed to host a global seminar on the Rohingya crisis in New York this year, aiming to internationalise the issue further and outline a roadmap for sustainable repatriation and responsibility-sharing.
Officials at the foreign ministry say the seminar will serve as a platform to reaffirm global solidarity, mobilize resources, and explore innovative diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis.
Economic Diplomacy in Action
A major milestone in Dr. Yunus's economic diplomacy was the successful hosting of the Bangladesh Global Investment Summit 2025 in Dhaka.
The event attracted high-level delegations from the United States, China, the European Union, Japan, and Gulf nations, alongside top executives from global corporations, venture capitalists, and development finance institutions.
Diplomats noted that Dr. Yunus's international stature and credibility played a key role in encouraging investor confidence during a period of political transition.