 "PM Modi's 4 big messages to Bangladesh's Yunus when they met in Bangkok")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (Apr 4) met with Bangladesh chief advisor Muhammad Yunus in Thai capital Bangkok on the sidelines of the 6th Bimstec Summit. It was the first meeting between the two leaders and the highest-level Indo-Bangladesh diplomatic interaction since Yunus took over as the chief adviser of an interim government after the removal of deposed PM Sheikh Hasina in August last year.
According to Bangladeshi media, the meeting was requested by Dhaka in a bid to overcome tensions in bilateral relations after New Delhi expressed concerns over violence against minorities under Yunus’s watch. The meeting came hot on the heels of Yunus’s visit to China, where he triggered a controversy by describing India’s Northeast as “landlocked” and positioning Bangladesh as the “guardian of ocean access” for the region.
Yunus’s remarks drew strong condemnation from Indian leaders, prompting Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to highlight India’s strategic role in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec).
PM Modi’s 4 big messages
Avoid inflammatory rhetoric: The Indian PM urged Yunus to focus on building a pragmatic and fruitful relationship with New Delhi, rather than fuelling inflammatory rhetoric.
The Indian leader also underscored the importance of maintaining border security and stability and cracking down on illegal border crossings.
“On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability,” a press statement issued by India’s foreign ministry read.
Safety of minorities: The PM also expressed his concerns about the safety of minorities, especially Hindus, in the country. He told the Bangladeshi representative to ensure that atrocities against Hindus are investigated.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Prime Minister 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,” the statement added.
India supports democratic, progressive Bangladesh: In a subtle message, PM Modi also urged the Bangladeshi representative to be committed to “a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.”
“Prime Minister 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,” the MEA readout stated.
Constructive discussions: The Prime Minister reaffirmed his belief that both countries will continue to resolve mutual concerns through direct and constructive dialogue, strengthening their long-standing and beneficial relationship.
Following the bilateral meeting, PM Modi took to X and wrote that India remained “committed to a constructive and people-centric relationship with Bangladesh.”
“I reiterated India’s support for peace, stability, inclusivity and democracy in Bangladesh. Discussed measures to prevent illegal border crossings and expressed our serious concern for the safety and well-being of Hindus and other minorities,” PM Modi further wrote.
Met Mr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh. India remains committed to a constructive and people-centric relationship with Bangladesh.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
I reiterated India’s support for peace, stability, inclusivity and democracy in Bangladesh. Discussed… pic.twitter.com/4UQgj8aohf
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