US President faces criticism for conceding Putin’s “election meddling” remark
In a major development in the international political arena President of US Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have committed for improving relations between the two major countries, with Putin saying there was no longer any reason for tensions between their countries.
However, media in both the countries indicate that Trump has lost the battle against Russia while US political circle call it a bad performance by their president in Helsinki.
The two leaders met in the Finnish capital Helsinki on Monday to talk about “everything from trade to military to missiles to China”.
“There are no objective reasons for difficulties [between Russia and the US]. The Cold War is a thing of the past, the situation in the world has drastically changed,” said Putin.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump blamed his country’s past “foolishness and stupidity” for the two powers’ hostile relations.
At a press conference following the summit, Trump praised their “direct, open and deeply productive dialogue” and emphasised the need for continued diplomacy over confrontation. “A productive dialogue is not only good for the United States and good for Russia, but it is good for the world,” he said.
“Our relationship has never been worse than it is now, however that changed as of about four hours ago… To refuse to engage would not accomplish anything.”
Putin said the two countries would need to work together to cope with challenges such as terrorism, international crime, the economy and the environment, while pointing to counterterrorism and cyber security as areas in which they are already doing so.
“As major nuclear powers, we bear special responsibility for maintaining international security,” he said.
Putin said the US and Russia could collaborate to “establish peace and reconciliation” in Syria, with Trump adding by working together to end the conflict, the US and Russia could “save hundreds of thousands of lives”.
The two leaders also committed to securing Israel’s border with Syria in accordance with the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria.
However, quick scanning of Russian and American media indicates that Trump has won while US has lost during the Helsinki summit. Russian media has been appreciative of Putin’s moves while US media and political leaders have started criticizing Trump of being “caved” under Putin’s prowess.
The Moscow Times published its lead story “Trump says ‘No reason to believe’ Russia hacked US election” with a hand-shake picture depicting Putin scaring into Trump’s eyes, give lots of score in favour of Putin.
The story intro say, “US President Donald Trump said on Monday he saw no reason to believe Russia had hacked the 2016 US presidential election to help him win, and Vladimir Putin “was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.”
Moscow Times further reports, “At a rambling news conference after a one-on-one meeting with the Russian president, Trump said not a single critical word about Russia on any of the issues that have brought relations between the Washington and Moscow to a post-Cold War low.”
The Russian daily said, “Asked if he trusted U.S. intelligence agencies which concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, he said he had been told by his CIA chief that it was Russia, but that he saw no reason to believe it.”
However, one of the several tweets Donald Trump posted during transatlantic flight taking him to Washington, his words seemed changed:
As I said today and many times before, “I have GREAT confidence in MY intelligence people.” However, I also recognize that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past – as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along! #HELSINKI2018
Russian official TASS news agency report says, “Russian President Vladimir Putin has called his summit talks with US President Donald Trump the first move towards “clearing the backlog” of problems in relations between the two countries.
It quoted Putin saying, “Of course, numerous problems persist, and we have failed to clear the backlog in full, it was impossible to do this, but I believe we have made the first important step in that direction.”
Putin said, “The talks with President of the United States Mr. Donald Trump were held in a frank, business-like atmosphere,” he said. “I view them as successful and useful.”
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On the other hand CNN reports that after President Donald Trump’s stunning news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, members of Congress including some powerful Republicans were quick to rebuke Trump’s performance on the world stage and Trump’s refusal to call Putin out for interfering in the US election.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, contradicted several comments Trump made during his Helsinki news conference, most notably backing the US intelligence community assessment that Russia meddled with the US 2016 presidential election.
Ryan said, “There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence.”
He continued, “The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke briefly with reporters Monday, giving his support to the US intelligence community.
Former Vice President John McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, who has consistently criticized the President, said Trump’s comments were “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker said the President “made us look like a pushover” and that Putin was probably eating caviar on the plane home.
“I was very disappointed and saddened with the equivalency that he gave between them (the US intelligence agencies) and what Putin was saying,” said Corker.
Several Republicans in both the houses, even some typically seen as allies of the President, said, in the hours following the Helsinki press conference, that they were concerned over what they heard on Monday.
Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican, Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, Senator Susan Collins, Maine Republican and many more spoke against Trump’s performance during the summit.
“I am confident former CIA Director and current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, DNI Dan Coats, Ambassador Nikki Haley, FBI Director Chris Wray, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and others will be able to communicate to the President it is possible to conclude Russia interfered with our election in 2016 without delegitimizing his electoral success,” Gowdy said in a statement.
Meanwhile, New York Times report said,“For nearly two years, Republicans have watched uncomfortably, and often in silence, as President Trump has swatted away accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential race, attacked his own intelligence agencies and flattered President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.”
Stephen Collinson, a CNN analyst writes, “For as long as history remembers Donald Trump, it will be a day that will live in infamy.” He further said, “The President’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday is already one of the most notorious moments in the tortured relations between Washington and Moscow.”
At one point, Collinson writes, “It was his hubris and desire to be unchained from his staff that led him to meet Putin alone for nearly two hours in Helsinki — fueling rumours that he is under the Russian leader’s spell.”
A January 2017 assessment bby theoffice of the Director of National Intelligence (CDN) stated that Russian leadership favored presidential candidate Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, and that Russian president Vladimir Putin personally ordered an “influence campaign” to harm Clinton’s electoral chances and “undermine public faith in the US democratic process”.
Hindu man lynched and set on fire in Bangladesh during anti-India protests
A Hindu man was lynched and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district amid rising anti-India protests after the death of a radical student leader.
A disturbing incident of mob violence against a minority community has been reported from Bangladesh, where a Hindu man was lynched and his body set on fire amid escalating anti-India protests following the death of a radical student leader.
Mob lynching reported from Mymensingh district
A 30-year-old Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district after allegations surfaced that he had insulted Islam. According to media reports, the incident took place on Thursday night at an industrial area where Das was employed.
Das was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during an event organised at his workplace to mark World Arabic Language Day. The allegations spread rapidly within the factory premises and nearby areas, leading to heightened tension.
Eyewitness accounts cited in media reports said Das was assaulted by an angry crowd and died on the spot. After his death, the mob allegedly tied his body to a tree, beat it while raising slogans, and later set it on fire.
Body burnt at multiple locations, traffic disrupted
The violence did not stop there. Reports suggest the mob later moved Das’s body to a nearby bus stand area and again set it ablaze. Subsequently, the body was taken to the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway, where it was burned once more, leading to panic among locals and a temporary disruption of traffic on the busy stretch.
Confirming the incident, the local administration said a person was killed following allegations of insulting the Prophet. Officials added that the body has been taken into police custody and the situation is being monitored.
Interim government condemns violence
The lynching took place against the backdrop of widespread protests across Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader linked to the July Uprising. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government strongly condemned the killing, stating that there is no place for such violence in the country.
In an official statement, the government appealed to citizens to reject hatred and violence, stressing that those responsible for the crime would not be spared.
Anti-India sentiment intensifies after Hadi’s death
Tensions have been high in Bangladesh since Hadi’s death, with protests, vandalism and arson reported in several cities. Demonstrators targeted prominent media offices and symbolic locations linked to the country’s political history.
Hadi was known for his sharp criticism of India and the former prime minister, whose government was ousted during last year’s uprising. Groups formed after the political upheaval have been actively mobilising street protests and campaigns that fuel anti-India sentiment, particularly after the former premier went into exile in India.
The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das has further raised concerns over the safety of minority communities amid the ongoing unrest in the country.
Bangladesh rocked by violent protests after student leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, anti-India slogans raised
Bangladesh has witnessed widespread violence and protests following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with arson, anti-India slogans and a nationwide security clampdown.
Violent protests erupted across Bangladesh after the death of student leader and political figure Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering fresh instability in the country and a sharp rise in anti-India sentiment. The situation turned volatile in Dhaka and several other cities as thousands of demonstrators poured onto the streets demanding swift action against those responsible for his killing.
Hadi, 32, was shot in the head by masked assailants while launching his election campaign in Dhaka last Friday. He was later airlifted to Singapore for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. Known for his polarising views and strong anti-India rhetoric, Hadi had emerged as a prominent face during the 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Fires, arson and tense streets in Dhaka
Soon after news of Hadi’s death broke, protests intensified in the Bangladeshi capital. Several buildings, including those housing leading media organisations, were set on fire, with authorities confirming that staff members were trapped inside during the blaze. Fire services later said the situation was brought under control, while security forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent further violence.
Demonstrators were seen chanting slogans invoking Hadi’s name, vowing to continue protests until those behind the attack were arrested. Multiple areas in Dhaka remained tense late into the night as police and paramilitary units attempted to restore order.
Protests spread, Indian mission targeted in Chittagong
Violence was not limited to the capital. In the port city of Chittagong, protesters gathered outside the Indian Assistant High Commission, raising anti-India slogans amid heightened anger on the streets. Similar unrest was reported from other parts of the country, signalling the widening scale of the crisis.
In Rajshahi, demonstrators torched Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence and an Awami League office, causing extensive damage. Authorities have not yet released a detailed assessment of losses, but security has been tightened across sensitive locations.
Anti-India sentiment deepens diplomatic strain
The latest unrest comes amid deteriorating ties between India and Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s flight to Delhi. Earlier in the week, protesters under the banner of “July Oikya” marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding Hasina’s return and raising hostile slogans against India.
India has formally conveyed its concerns to Dhaka over threats to its diplomatic missions and inflammatory statements by Bangladeshi political figures. New Delhi has rejected allegations linking India to the attack on Hadi, calling such claims false and misleading.
Yunus calls for calm, state mourning announced
In a televised address, interim chief Muhammad Yunus described Hadi’s death as an “irreparable loss” to Bangladesh’s political and democratic space. He urged citizens to exercise restraint, warning that continued violence could derail the country’s path towards a credible election.
The interim administration has announced a day of state mourning in Hadi’s honour, with national flags to fly at half-mast and special prayers planned nationwide. Bangladesh has been under an interim government led by Yunus since August 2024, with national elections scheduled for February 12.
India issues advisory for its nationals
Amid the unrest, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka issued an advisory asking Indian nationals in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and limit movement outside their residences. Emergency contact details of Indian missions have been shared for assistance.
Manhunt launched for attackers
Bangladesh police have launched a manhunt for those behind Hadi’s killing, releasing photographs of two suspects and announcing a reward of five million taka for information leading to their arrest. Yunus has described the attack as a premeditated attempt by a powerful network to sabotage the electoral process.
India closes two more visa centres in Bangladesh amid worsening security concerns
India has temporarily closed visa application centres in Rajshahi and Khulna, citing security concerns following protests near Indian establishments in Bangladesh.
India has shut two additional Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Bangladesh — in Rajshahi and Khulna — citing the prevailing security situation in the country. The move comes a day after protests were held near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka by radical groups, raising concerns over safety around Indian establishments.
An official notification issued on the IVAC website said the centres in Rajshahi and Khulna were closed on December 18 due to security reasons. Applicants who had appointments scheduled for the day have been assured fresh slots at a later date.
The decision follows the temporary shutdown of the visa application centre in Dhaka earlier, even as New Delhi flagged a rise in open hostility towards India, particularly targeting the northeastern region, under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh rejects India’s security assessment
Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain dismissed India’s concerns and denied any deterioration in law and order. He distanced the interim administration from recent inflammatory remarks made by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah, who had publicly threatened to cut off India’s “seven sisters” and also issued comments against the Indian High Commissioner.
Hossain said the individual was not part of the government and termed his statements irrelevant. He also claimed that security arrangements were in place and that the shutdown of the Dhaka visa centre coincided with a local programme, which raised security-related questions.
Political backdrop and India’s response
The NCP, which emerged from student-led protests that led to the fall of the previous Awami League government, has extended support to the Yunus-led interim setup. Though the party has limited political presence, radical elements associated with it have organised anti-India demonstrations in Dhaka.
India, in an earlier statement, urged the interim government to ensure internal law and order and hold peaceful elections so that Bangladesh can return to an elected administration. However, the interim government appeared dismissive of this advice, with Hossain stating that India need not advise Dhaka on conducting elections.
Observers in Bangladesh have pointed out that delays in elections could benefit the unelected interim government, while radical groups may attempt to create disruptions by projecting India as a hostile actor. New Delhi has so far maintained a measured stance, despite remarks that directly question India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in the northeastern region.
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