PM Modi meets Bangladesh’s interim leader Yunus, flags minority safety and border concerns

New Delhi, April 04: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. The meeting, held at a delicate phase in bilateral ties, saw the Prime Minister Modi highlighting the importance of protecting minorities, ensuring border stability, and maintaining constructive dialogue.

According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” and emphasized India’s people-centric approach to the relationship.

“Cooperation between the two countries has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries,” the MEA said. Modi expressed New Delhi’s desire to forge a “positive and constructive relationship” with Bangladesh, “based on pragmatism.”

In a message, Modi urged that rhetoric which “vitiates the environment is best avoided,” and emphasized for strict enforcement of the law along the border, especially to curb illegal crossings at night. He suggested that bilateral mechanisms could meet, as appropriate, to “review and take forward ties.”

Importantly, Modi also “underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus,” and conveyed India’s expectation that the Bangladeshi government would ensure their protection, including by investigating all cases of atrocities.

The Prime Minister congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the chairmanship of BIMSTEC and said he looked forward to the forum “advancing regional cooperation under its leadership.” The two leaders agreed to “enhance consultations and cooperation” to support regional integration through BIMSTEC.

Modi also expressed confidence that all bilateral issues “would continue to be addressed and resolved through constructive discussions,” reaffirming India’s commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship.

The meeting came amid strained ties between the two neighbours. Relations have cooled since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year. Hasina has since taken refuge in India, prompting Dhaka’s interim leadership to approach New Delhi with caution.

Adding to the tensions, recent remarks by Chief Adviser Yunus in China, calling Northeast India “landlocked” and referring to Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean for all this region” were seen in New Delhi as undermining India’s strategic connectivity goals.

Earlier in the week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, at the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, had asserted that India’s Northeast is emerging as a regional connectivity hub. “The completion of the Trilateral Highway will connect India’s Northeast all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a veritable game-changer,” he said.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a press briefing after the meeting said India remains committed to “constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and realism.”

On the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s potential extradition, Misri acknowledged that it was discussed. “As the spokesperson had earlier indicated, a request had been received, but I have no further update to share on that at this point,” he said.

Despite the geopolitical undercurrents, the meeting concluded on a cordial note, signaling India’s engagement with Dhaka’s new leadership, one that balances regional ambition with strategic restraint.