Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, on Friday (April 4) during the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. This was their first meeting after the political change in Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina’s government was overthrown. Since Hasina came to India in August 2024 and took refuge, relations between the two countries have been tense.
This meeting came after Bangladesh officially requested for a bilateral talk during the summit to reduce tensions and resolve issues.
Backstory of the Situation
- On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh amid massive student-led protests.
- Her government, which had been in power for 16 years, was removed.
- Muhammad Yunus took over as the interim leader in Bangladesh.
- Yunus has claimed that Bangladesh requested India to send Hasina back for legal action, but India has not responded officially.
What Happened in the Meeting?
- The meeting between PM Modi and Muhammad Yunus lasted for 40 minutes.
- It was India’s first high-level meeting with the new Bangladesh leadership.
- Many important political and diplomatic matters were discussed, though details are not public yet.
- A day before the meeting, Modi and Yunus were seen sitting together during the BIMSTEC dinner, which created a lot of buzz.
Recent Tensions
Earlier, during the Boao Forum in China, Muhammad Yunus made some controversial comments about India’s northeastern states, which added to the existing strain between the two nations.
However, this recent meeting could mark the beginning of a new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations, especially as both sides try to rebuild trust and cooperation.
