Bangkok/New Delhi, Apr 4 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met with Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok, Thailand, during which he underlined India’s concerns about the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, and also urged that “rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided”.
The meeting, that lasted half an hour, marked the first bilateral meeting between the leadership of the two sides since the formation of the army-backed Interim Government in Bangladesh in August last year, after the dismissal of the Sheikh Hasina regime. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.
Enunciating India’s people-centric approach to the relationship, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that cooperation between the two countries has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
He underlined India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism, a statement said.
Prime Minister Modi “urged that rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided”, in reference to the anti-India statements being made by several members of the advisory council of the Yunus regime and other officials.
Referring to the border, he said that strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability.
The bilateral mechanism in this regard could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties, he added.
Prime Minister Modi underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them. This is a concern that India has raised time and again with the Yunus regime, with the latter dismissing it as an exaggerated concern.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the Chair of BIMSTEC and looked forward to the forum further advancing regional cooperation under its leadership. The leaders agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of their long standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.
According to Bangladesh news site UNB, the Bangladesh Chief Advisor raised several issues with PM Modi, including the extradition of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, water sharing of common rivers, and border killings.
Briefing the Bangladeshi media, the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said “All issues of mutual interests were discussed. The meeting was very constructive, productive and fruitful,” according to UNB.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand, has been viewed as the most significant moment in the diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka, since the July 2024 uprising which saw the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League administration.
During their meeting, the Chief Advisor presented a photograph to Prime Minister Modi which saw him presenting a gold medal to the CA at the 102nd Indian Science Congress that took place in Mumbai on January 3, 2015.
Since the take over of the army-backed regime of the Chief Advisor, there has been a marked downslide in the diplomatic relations between the two countries due to attacks on the Hindus and other minority communities, anti-India stance of several advisors in his government, and the rise of Islamic extremism.
While Dhaka has formally approached India on the issue of Hasina’s extradition, there has been no response on the issue by India.
UNI ANV-RN