NEW DELHI: Mohammed Yunus-led interim government has asked billionaire Elon Musk to bring his satellite internet service Starlik to Bangladesh.
The offer is seen as a move to seek diplomatic backing from the Trump administration, which, unlike the Biden dispensation, does not appear to support Dhaka’s fragile regime.
In the meeting, the pair emphasised that the service would create new opportunities for “Bangladesh’s enterprising youth, rural and vulnerable women, and remote communities”, a statement from Yunus‘ media office said, according to news agency AFP.
Elon Musk has also expressed enthusiasm about visiting Bangladesh following an invitation extended by Yunus.
A statement confirmed that Musk had conveyed he was “looking forward” to the visit, though he has not yet made any public remarks about the meeting. This includes refraining from discussing it on X, the social media platform he owns and frequently uses to share his thoughts.
The conversation between Musk and Yunus coincided with Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi was in Washington at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have worsened since Yunus assumed office after last year’s uprising, which led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
India had been a key ally of Hasina, who is currently in exile in New Delhi. However, Bangladesh has been pressing for her extradition, as she faces allegations related to the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the revolt that resulted in her ousting.
