Modi-Yunus Bring India-Bangladesh Ties on Normalcy Path
Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus presents a photograph to PM Narendra Modi (Image credit Bangladesh Govt)
Modi Expresses Concerns Over Attacks on Hindus in Talks with Yunus
By TRH News Desk
New Delhi, April 4: Marking a thaw, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral meeting with Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit. Modi sought safety of minority Hindus in Bangladesh.
After the August 9 overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina-led regime, India and Bangladesh established diplomatic contacts at the highest political level. The meeting was sought by Bangladesh, reported Dhaka-based media outlets.
Modi and Yunus were seated also together at the dinner for the BIMSTEC leaders. Afterwards, the two leaders also stood together at the group photograph of the BIMSTEC leaders.
“Met Mr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh. India remains committed to a constructive and people-centric relationship with Bangladesh,” said Modi in a post on X.
The Prime Minister also stated that “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”.
Yunus presented a photo to Prime Minister. The photo was taken when Modi had presented a gold medal to Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress on January 3, 2015.
Dhaka Tribune in a report said that the “meeting was most significant since August 8” when Hasina-led regime was toppled. Yunus-led administration had been raising demand to stop Hasina from making statements against the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
The bilateral meeting between Modi and Yunus came within days of Union Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar telling the Lok Sabha that the violence against the Hindus continues unabated in Bangladesh.
Significantly, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) recently stated that it will desire safety of Hindus in Bangladesh within the existing framework in Dhaka. The RSS, which is an ideological parental body of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government headed by Modi, had suggested the path of persuasion with Yunus-led regime to ensure safety of Hindus.
Dhaka-based media outlets had quoted officials, saying that Bangladesh had reached out New Delhi for a visit of Yunus to India, which “had not received any response”. Yunus, in place, went to China where he called on Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Yunus also invited Chinese investments for Teesta River Basin Development project, as well as redevelopment of the Mongla Port. China rolled out red-carpet for Yunus.
It was not immediately known if Yunus gave any assurance to Modi on safety of the minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister told Yunus that the illegal migrations and crossings of the international border need to be stopped.
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