The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing clarified on Saturday that the government has no plans to lease Saint Martin’s Island to any country for any purpose, dispelling rumours circulating on social media.
The clarification comes after a widely shared post featuring a photo of an event between the Bangladesh Army and the US Army, with the caption, *"Deal done? Saint Martin gone?" The post implied that the country’s only coral island had been leased to the United States.
In response, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said that the Land Forces Talks between the Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific have been ongoing for several years, with the 7th edition held from August 14-16, 2023, at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, USA.
“Any claims linking Saint Martin’s Island to these talks are baseless rumours. The Interim Government has repeatedly stated it has no plans to lease the island to any foreign country for any purpose,” said the Press Wing.
The former head of the recently dissolved government had previously claimed that her continuation in office was contingent on agreeing to lease Saint Martin’s—an assertion now refuted by the current administration.