PM Modi meets Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus amid strained ties at BIMSTEC Summit

First high-level engagement since Sheikh Hasina sought asylum in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday. The meeting followed a formal request from Dhaka for talks to resolve ongoing diplomatic tensions.

Initially, Modi’s official schedule did not list a meeting with Yunus, despite Bangladesh’s appeal. However, both leaders were seen seated together at a dinner hosted on Thursday during the summit, indicating informal engagement before formal discussions took place.

Key issues in bilateral strain

Relations between India and Bangladesh have recently faced challenges, including concerns over alleged attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and India’s decision to grant asylum to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina fled to India in August 2024 following mass student-led protests that led to the fall of her 16-year rule under the Awami League.

Tensions escalated further after Yunus made remarks concerning India’s northeastern states during his visit to China for the Boao Forum for Asia, adding to the diplomatic strain.

Yunus has stated that Bangladesh sent official requests to India seeking Hasina’s extradition for trial but claimed that no formal response was received from New Delhi.

Modi reaffirms India-Bangladesh partnership

In a letter sent to Yunus last month, Prime Minister Modi emphasized India’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with Bangladesh. He wrote, “India remains committed to advancing its partnership with Bangladesh, driven by the common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity, and based on mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns.”

BIMSTEC Summit context

The meeting occurred during the sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, the first in-person gathering since 2018. BIMSTEC includes seven countries from South and Southeast Asia, representing 1.73 billion people and a combined GDP of $5.2 trillion. Thailand currently chairs the organization.

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