Bangladesh: Have Sheikh Hasina's Fears Come True? Yunus To Gift Saint Martin's Island To Donald Trump

Dhaka: Saint Martin's Island, one of Bangladesh's top tourist destinations and a strategically important location, has been closed to the public. The government of Muhammad Yunus has banned entry to the island for ordinary citizens since February 1. Citing environmental concerns, the government stated that tourism on Saint Martin's Island will be suspended for nine months to protect the coral ecosystem.

What is the reaction on the Bangladesh government’s decision?

This decision by the Yunus government has come under scrutiny. Claims that American ships are present near the island have fueled various speculations. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already questioned the Yunus government's stance on the island.

In Bangladesh, tourists are usually allowed to visit Saint Martin's Island from October 1 to March 31 every year. This year, citing environmental reasons, the period has been shortened to January 31. Motorcycles and other motorized vehicles will also be prohibited on the beach. Meanwhile, senior Bangladeshi journalist Salahuddin Shoaib Chowdhury has made a sensational claim, stating that American warships have arrived near Saint Martin's Island.

Did Yunus make a deal with Donald Trump?

Saint Martin's Island is a small island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, located 9 km south of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. This Bangladeshi island is close to the Indian border and has been under the watchful eye of the US for a long time. Due to its location in the Bay of Bengal, the island is strategically important. The US wants to establish a base on this island to increase its military presence in the region against China.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during protests against her government in July 2024, highlighted the crucial role of Saint Martin's Island. Hasina claimed that she refused to hand over the island to the US, and that a conspiracy was hatched to overthrow her government as a result. Hasina alleged that Yunus, who was subsequently brought to power, is ready to give Saint Martin's Island to the US. Hasina's fears came true

Sheikh Hasina had clearly stated after the fall of her government that she had lost power but had not compromised on the issue of St. Martin's Island because it would have increased tensions throughout the region. However, she believed that Yunus would hand over the island to the US because he didn't care about it. If there is any truth to Salahuddin Chowdhury's claim that American ships have arrived at the island, then Sheikh Hasina's fears have proven to be true.