Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cautioned Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus against rhetoric that could strain bilateral ties and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Bangkok, marking their first meeting since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
During their interaction, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He underscored India’s people-centric approach to its relationship with Bangladesh, emphasising that cooperation between the two nations has delivered tangible benefits to their people.
“PM Modi reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He underlined to Prof Yunus India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing.
“The PM also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided,” he added.
The remarks come amid ongoing controversy over Yunus’s recent statements encouraging China to expand its economic influence into India’s northeastern states. His comments, describing Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” for the region, sparked backlash in India, leading Bangladeshi officials to later issue clarifications.
In an apparent attempt to ease tensions, Dhaka sought a meeting between Yunus and PM Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit.
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The leaders also discussed border security, with Modi stressing the need for strict enforcement of laws to curb illegal border crossings, particularly at night. He suggested that bilateral mechanisms could convene as needed to review and advance cooperation on security matters.
Another key concern raised by Modi was the safety and security of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, which has come under increasing threat in recent months. “The PM also underlined India’s concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh,” Misri said.
PM Modi expressed his expectation that the Bangladesh government would take steps to ensure their protection, including conducting thorough investigations into cases of attacks against them.
Beyond immediate concerns, the discussion also touched upon regional cooperation, with Modi congratulating Bangladesh on assuming the chairmanship of BIMSTEC. He expressed optimism that the forum would advance regional integration under Bangladesh’s leadership and reiterated that all mutual issues should continue to be addressed through bilateral dialogue and constructive engagement.
The meeting followed a diplomatic warm-up, with Modi and Yunus sitting next to each other at an official dinner hosted by the Thai Prime Minister the previous evening.