PM Modi, Yunus meet at BIMSTEC Summit amid strained ties, first since Sheikh Hasina's ouster
PTC Web Desk: In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Thailand. This marks the first high-level engagement between the two nations since Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted last August.
According to sources, Dhaka had requested the meeting, which saw both leaders exchanging a firm handshake before engaging in bilateral discussions. Visuals from the summit also showed Modi and Yunus seated together at the BIMSTEC leaders’ dinner, fueling speculation of a strategic interaction.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus hold a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand pic.twitter.com/4POheM34JJ — ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
The meeting comes in the wake of Yunus’ recent remarks in China, where he described Bangladesh as the “only gateway” to the Indian Ocean for India’s northeastern states. His statement, suggesting China expand its influence in the region, sparked criticism from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Assam Chief Minister.
"The seven states in India's northeast, known as the Seven Sisters, are landlocked. We are their only access to the ocean, making Bangladesh a natural extension of the Chinese economy," Yunus had said during his China visit.
Yunus’ comments and his perceived tilt toward Beijing have added strain to India-Bangladesh relations, which saw stronger ties under Sheikh Hasina. Additionally, Dhaka’s repeated appeals for Hasina’s extradition, reportedly ignored by New Delhi, have further complicated diplomatic dynamics.
While Prime Minister Modi has not publicly addressed Yunus’ remarks, he emphasised the strategic importance of India’s northeast within the BIMSTEC framework. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reinforced this stance, stating that regional cooperation must be based on an integrated approach rather than selective partnerships.
- With inputs from agencies
