Auto parts traders in Delhi boycott biz with B'desh amid ongoing tensions

In response to ongoing tensions in Bangladesh and alleged attacks on minorities, auto parts traders in Delhi's Kashmere Gate have decided to halt business with the neighboring country.

The move follows reports of violence against 'Hindus' and 'attacks' on temples in Bangladesh.

Vinay Narang, president of the Automotive Parts Merchants' Association, stated that the Kashmere Gate auto parts market has decided to stop business with Bangladesh in response to the alleged atrocities committed against 'Hindus' and recent 'attacks' on temples.

"The atrocities that have happened to Hindus there (Bangladesh), our temples have been destroyed, and many of our Hindu brothers have been killed there. It was wrong... Our market (Kashmere Gate Auto Parts Market) has decided that we will stop business with Bangladesh," Narang told ANI.

He added that Bangladesh is a developing country and that the decision to stop the export of car parts until January 15 would halt transportation there. Nearly 2,000 shops have stopped their exports to Bangladesh, the merchant association's president said.

"It (Bangladesh) is a developing country, if car parts are not available then transportation will stop... We want them to realise their mistake... There are about 20,000 auto parts shops in Kashmere Gate and 2,000 shops may be exporting to Bangladesh, all of them have stopped their work (with Bangladesh). Their payment is stuck but they are not worried about that either... We have decided to continue this till January 15... We will continue with this if needed," Narang said.

Meanwhile, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday held discussions with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting a "prosperous, stable, and democratic" Bangladesh.

During a telephone conversation, both leaders stressed the importance of protecting human rights for all individuals and discussed ways to address the challenges Bangladesh is facing.

"National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, head of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Sullivan thanked Chief Adviser Yunus for his leadership of Bangladesh during a challenging period," the White House in a statement said.

Mahesh Sachdev, former Ambassador to Bangladesh on Monday highlighted that Sheikh Hasina, ex-Prime Minister of Bangladesh can go to courts to fight extradition requests from Bangladesh's interim government.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Sachdev said that just like the extradition requests of India were rejected by other European countries on various caveats, Haina too can say that she does not trust her government and that she is likely to be treated unfairly. Sachdev added that the extradition treaty rules out extraditions in political consideration.