The tenure of Mohammad Yunus’s interim government has ended in Bangladesh. During this 14 month tenure, Mohammad Yunus government not only increased the debt burden of Bangladesh but also did not pay any attention to the development works, no work has been done on the mega projects which were in the pipeline. The Finance Ministry of Bangladesh has issued a bulletin giving information about the economic situation of the country.
During the 14 months tenure of Mohammad Yunus, the debt of Bangladesh has increased by 2 lakh 60 thousand 257 crore taka. Awami League chief and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the power of Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 and at that time the total domestic and foreign debt of the country was Taka 18 lakh 88 thousand 787 crore, which has now crossed Taka 21 lakh crore. According to the Finance Ministry, the total domestic and foreign debt of Bangladesh till September 30, 2025 was 21 lakh 49 thousand 44 crore Taka i.e. Rs 15 lakh 96 thousand 590 crore. Officials say that after the accounts till mid-February, the debt figure may increase even more.
Why did the debt burden increase so much in Yunus government?
According to economists, according to the Finance Ministry, in these 14 months, the Yunus government distanced itself from large-scale mega projects and there was a huge cut in the overall development expenditure. Revenue collection decreased in this government and Bangladesh remained dependent on debt due to increasing loan payments. Zahid Hussain, chief economist of the World Bank in Dhaka, says that the main reason for increasing debt in Bangladesh is less revenue generation.
Zahid Hussain said that due to political instability and obstacles in tax collection after the coup in August, the revenue was less than expected, due to which the financial position of the government remained limited.
How much debt does India owe to Bangladesh?
In the year 2009, when Awami League came to power in Bangladesh, the total debt of the country was Taka 2 lakh crore and by August 5, 2024 i.e. the coup, it increased to Taka 18 lakh 88 thousand 787 crore. India’s debt to Bangladesh is about 800 crore dollars, which is 70 thousand crore rupees in Indian currency and this amount is more than 1 lakh crore taka in Bangladesh currency. India has provided financial assistance to Bangladesh mainly through lines of credit rather than direct cash loans.
