PM Modi, Bangladesh’s Yunus seated together at BIMSTEC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to have a meeting with Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus on Friday during the sixth BIMSTEC summit. This anticipated interaction will take place on the sidelines of the regional gathering, where leaders from member countries are convening to discuss key issues. Given the current diplomatic climate, their meeting could hold significant importance. Observers are keen to see if any discussions on economic collaboration or regional cooperation emerge from this encounter between the two prominent figures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus were seen sitting together during a dinner event held alongside the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday evening. This dinner was hosted as part of the summit’s formal engagements, bringing together key leaders from the regional bloc.
Upon his arrival in Bangkok, Modi was received by Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. She also extended a warm welcome to all the Heads of State and Government officials who participated in the BIMSTEC Dinner. The summit, which focuses on enhancing regional cooperation among the Bay of Bengal nations, saw the participation of several high-ranking officials, making it a crucial diplomatic gathering.
During the dinner, Prime Minister Modi was notably seated between Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. This seating arrangement drew significant attention, particularly given the recent tensions between India and Bangladesh. Relations between the two neighboring countries have been strained following the removal of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from office on August 5 last year. The political shift in Dhaka has led to differences between the two governments, contributing to a period of uncertainty in their diplomatic ties.
One of the primary reasons for the strain in relations has been the issue of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Reports of attacks on the Hindu community sparked concerns in India, leading to diplomatic unease between the two nations. Additionally, India’s decision to grant asylum to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina further complicated matters. This move by New Delhi was seen as a direct intervention in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, leading to heightened tensions between the two governments.
Amidst this backdrop, Bangladesh had requested a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chief Advisor Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit to address and resolve these outstanding issues. However, Modi’s official schedule in Thailand did not mention any such meeting, leading to speculation about India’s stance on the request. The absence of a confirmed meeting has fueled discussions on whether New Delhi is willing to engage in direct diplomatic dialogue with Dhaka at this time.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the bilateral meeting, reports from news agency PTI indicated that Modi is likely to meet Yunus on Friday. This potential interaction could provide an opportunity for both sides to address their differences and explore avenues for cooperation. Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin expressed optimism about the possibility of talks, stating that his country is fully prepared for the meeting and awaiting a positive response from India. He acknowledged the existing challenges in bilateral relations but emphasized that these issues could be resolved through direct engagement between the two leaders.
Adding another layer to the complex diplomatic equation, Muhammad Yunus recently made remarks regarding China’s role in the region. During a four-day visit to China, Yunus reportedly urged Beijing to expand its economic influence in Bangladesh. He highlighted the strategic importance of India’s northeastern states, suggesting that their landlocked nature could present an economic opportunity for China to establish stronger ties with Bangladesh. This statement, which surfaced on social media on Monday, has sparked concerns in India about Dhaka’s growing alignment with Beijing.
The timing of Yunus’s remarks, coupled with the ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh, has led to increased scrutiny of Dhaka’s foreign policy direction. India has traditionally been a key ally of Bangladesh, providing economic support and strategic cooperation. However, Yunus’s apparent encouragement of Chinese economic expansion in the region has raised questions about Bangladesh’s diplomatic balancing act. The prospect of increased Chinese involvement in Bangladesh’s economic affairs could have significant implications for India’s regional interests, especially given the broader geopolitical competition between New Delhi and Beijing.
Observers believe that a potential meeting between Modi and Yunus could serve as a crucial moment for resetting India-Bangladesh relations. Given the shared history and deep economic ties between the two nations, finding common ground will be essential for maintaining regional stability. Both countries have benefited from bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and security, making it imperative to navigate the current challenges through diplomatic engagement.
The BIMSTEC Summit itself serves as a platform for fostering regional collaboration among its member states, which include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. The summit’s agenda focuses on enhancing economic integration, improving connectivity, and addressing security concerns in the Bay of Bengal region. Against this backdrop, any discussion between Modi and Yunus could contribute to strengthening multilateral cooperation within BIMSTEC while also addressing bilateral concerns.
In recent years, BIMSTEC has gained significance as an alternative regional grouping, particularly in the wake of challenges faced by SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). India has been keen on promoting BIMSTEC as a viable platform for regional cooperation, given its strategic interests in strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations. Bangladesh, too, has played an active role in BIMSTEC, recognizing the economic and geopolitical benefits of closer regional integration.
As diplomatic engagements unfold in Bangkok, all eyes will be on whether Modi and Yunus engage in a substantive dialogue. The outcome of any such interaction could shape the future trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations and determine the extent to which the two nations can overcome their current differences. While challenges remain, the willingness of both sides to engage in dialogue could pave the way for renewed cooperation and stability in the region.
Ultimately, the evolving dynamics between India and Bangladesh will be closely watched by regional and global stakeholders. With multiple factors at play, including political transitions, economic interests, and external influences, the coming days could be critical in determining how these two neighbors navigate their diplomatic relationship in the changing geopolitical landscape of South Asia.