Avoid rhetoric that vitiates environment, PM Modi tells Yunus after his remarks on N-E | India News

Modi told Yunus that “rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided”, an Indian government statement said — during his visit to Beijing late last month, Yunus, while seeking “extension of the Chinese economy”,  had said that North-East India was “landlocked” and Bangladesh was the “only guardian of the ocean for all this region”, a remark that did not go down well in Delhi.

“He (Modi) also 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 Ministry of External Affairs said.

This has been one of India’s major concerns, and was conveyed last August when Modi spoke to Yunus over the phone. They had last met in India at the Indian Science Congress almost a decade ago.

According to the Bangladesh government’s statement, while responding to Modi’s concern over the condition of minorities in Bangladesh, Yunus said “the reports of attacks on the minorities were hugely inflated” and “the bulk of them were fake news”. He asked the Prime Minister to send reporters to Bangladesh to investigate the alleged attacks themselves.

“The Chief Adviser said he has instituted an effective system for monitoring every incident of religious and gender violence in the country, and his government was taking serious actions to stop any occurrence of such incidents,” the Dhaka statement said.

Yunus enquired about the status of the Bangladesh request for the extradition of Hasina which remains pending with Delhi.

The Bangladesh statement said Yunus “noted that the former Prime Minister (Hasina) had been making inflammatory remarks in various media outlets and attempting to destabilise the situation in Bangladesh, which seemed to be an abuse of the hospitality India has extended to her. She has consistently made false and inflammatory accusations against the interim government of Bangladesh.”

“We request that the Government of India take appropriate measures to restrain her from continuing to make such incendiary statements while she remains in your country,” it stated.

Yunus also pointed to the Human Rights Commission’s report about violations and abuses committed by security forces and armed Awami League activists between July 15 and August 5, 2024, in which 1,400 protest-related deaths occurred, approximately 13 per cent of the victims being children.

“The UN report notes that the Prime Minister herself had ordered security forces to kill protesters and specifically instructed them to ‘arrest the ringleaders, kill them, and hide their bodies’,” the Bangladesh statement said.

According to the Bangladesh government, “the Indian Prime Minister blamed social media for the tensions around Sheikh Hasina’s remarks. He said India’s attachment is with a country, not with individuals or political organisations.”

“He said India does not support any particular party in Bangladesh. Our relationship is people-to-people, the Indian Prime Minister said,” the Bangladesh government statement said.

There was no reference to this in the Indian government’s readout, but Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “As far as Sheikh Hasina is concerned — and the reference that was made in that context from the Bangladesh side — yes, this matter was raised during discussions. As our spokesperson has already informed you earlier, we have indeed received a communication on this issue. At this point, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the subject.”

The Indian statement said Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh” — all pointing to a government that comes about after elections and there is peace on the streets, and minorities are taken care.

On the issue of elections in Bangladesh, Misri said, “As far as the issue of elections is concerned, it is well understood that in any democracy, regular and inclusive elections are a vital component. Prime Minister Modi shared his views on this matter with Professor Muhammad Yunus and expressed his hope that, moving forward, we will see a democratic, inclusive, and stable Bangladesh. It is universally acknowledged that elections play a crucial role in achieving that vision.”

In the past, Yunus has said that the elections are to take place later this year or by early 2026. Political parties including the BNP have been pushing for early elections in Bangladesh.

The Indian statement said that “enunciating India’s people-centric approach to the relationship, 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.” This is with reference to the development partnership projects in Bangladesh that have been supported by India in the last decade and half.

On the border issue, the Indian statement said “strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability. Bilateral mechanism could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties”.

The Bangladesh statement said Yunus also “raised the issue of border killings and stressed that working together to reduce the number of fatalities would not only save many families great anguish but would also help to build trust and confidence and to strengthen the relationship between India and Bangladesh”.

“I always felt the pain when these killings happen,” the Bangladesh Chief Adviser said, urging India to find “ways and means” to prevent the incidents.

Dhaka quoted Modi saying “Indian border troops opened fire only in self-defence and the fatalities occurred in Indian territories. The two leaders stressed the need to work together on this issue”.

Yunus also called for discussions to renew the Ganges Water Treaty and to conclude the Teesta water sharing agreement, the Bangladesh statement said.

On the overall relationship, the Indian statement said 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”.

The Bangladesh statement also sought to give a positive framing: “Bangladesh deeply values its relationship with India. The deep-rooted friendship between our two countries is founded on intertwined histories, geographical proximity, and cultural affinity. We remain thankful for the unwavering support of the government and people of India during our most challenging time in 1971.”

“Although this was the first direct meeting between these two heads of government, Prof Yunus emphasised that the countries have remained engaged in numerous bilateral interactions over the past eight months. Addressing the challenges facing the relationship between the two countries, Professor Yunus said, ‘Excellency, we seek to work together with you to set the relationship on the right track for the benefit of both our peoples’.”

“The Indian Prime Minister said New Delhi has always attached ‘highest priority’ to its relationship with Dhaka. He said the history of the two neighbours is intricately linked, and it goes back to the birth of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Modi recalled the global stature of Prof. Yunus. He said India would always support a progressive, democratic and inclusive Bangladesh,” the Dhaka statement said.

It also said that Prime Minister Modi congratulated Professor Yunus on his assumption of the BIMSTEC chairmanship, and he greeted him on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

Professor Yunus, who assumed the chairmanship of BIMSTEC, sought the support of India for a Free Trade Agreement among the seven members of the group, Dhaka said.

The Indian statement said 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, it said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval,  Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Tauhid Hossain, High Representative of Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman were among those present at the meeting.