After Sheikh Hasina was toppled from power, a finger of suspicion was pointed at the Biden administration, which was known to be very unhappy with the then Bangladesh prime minister.
The subsequent elevation of Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus -- who is perceived to be close to the Americans -- as leader of the interim government in Dhaka was interpreted in some quarters as confirmation of the fact that the United States was the puppeteer behind Hasina's ouster.
Professor Yunus is in New York, accompanied by young Bangladeshis who led the student uprising against Hasina, and the bon homie he shared with two US presidents, current and past, will add masala to the conspiracy theorists.
'Both leaders affirmed the close partnership between the United States and Bangladesh, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties.
'President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US= support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda.' Photograph: ANI Photo
'You're the only old guy I know who was ever drafted for his eminent position by the young people of his country," Mr Clinton quipped about Mr Yunus's elevation to interim leader,' AFP reported. Photograph: Kind courtesy Muhammad Yunus/X
Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com and Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
