Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan has stirred diplomatic circles of the country after claiming in a Facebook post on Sunday that “10 agreements signed during the Hasina government were cancelled, and the rest are under review.”
The post, made from his verified Facebook page, has drawn attention from both former and serving diplomats who viewed it as a departure from established diplomatic norms and practices. They warned that such public statements could undermine Bangladesh’s national interests.
Former Ambassador Md Abdul Hye remarked, “It is not a secret that the India factor plays a part in our domestic politics.”
“Bangladesh is now passing a very crucial transitional phase leading towards upcoming general election in February 2026. At this time our domestic politics must be handled with pragmatism and maturity that may not hurt our people’s interest under the veil of anti-Indian card,” he said.
“If relations between the two countries have deteriorated to this level, I have no comment to make,” said another former diplomat requesting anonymity.
Another former diplomat said, “This does not conform to diplomatic norms and practices. It is inappropriate for an adviser to make such an announcement on social media when the government itself has not made it public.”
Multiple serving diplomats have also expressed surprise at the adviser’s Facebook post.
When approached, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain declined to make any comment.
The Facebook post
According to the post, after taking office, the interim government began reviewing all bilateral agreements signed with India and decided to cancel several after “proper evaluation.”
The post listed the following projects and instruments as being cancelled: The Tripura-Chattogram rail connectivity project, Abhaypur–Akhaura rail expansion, Ashuganj–Agartala corridor, Feni River water management project, Road and waterways improvement for port use, Bangladesh’s financial assistance proposal for Farakka barrage-related projects, Sylhet-Silchar connectivity project, Petroleum pipeline expansion project, Indian Economic Zones at Mirsharai and Mongla, and Tugboat procurement deal with Indian defence company GRSE.
The adviser further mentioned that four other agreements remain under review or suspended, namely – Adani power import agreement, Ganges water-sharing deal, Teesta water-sharing draft agreement and Kushiara River water-sharing project.
Diplomatic practice
Experts pointed out that any bilateral or multilateral agreement usually contains an “exit” or “termination” clause, allowing a party to withdraw by following due procedure.
Ambassador Hye explained, “Such matters are generally handled through diplomatic channels. Depending on the nature of the agreement, governments may or may not make them public.”
He cautioned that making such sensitive announcements on social media constitutes “a clear deviation from diplomatic norms and practices.”
