India-Bangladesh: PM Modi and Mohammad Yunus possibility of bilateral discussions on Bimstec Summit

Dhaka, April 2 (IANS). The first bilateral dialogue between Premier Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim government’s chief adviser Mohammad Yunus is possibly the first bilateral talks at the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok. Khalilur Rahman, the high representative of the main adviser on the Rohingya and priority issues, said on Wednesday that the leaders of the Bimstec member states will discuss future works with Younus. Rahman said at a press conference: “We have requested India to organize this dialogue (between the leaders of the two countries) … there is plenty of possibility of this meeting.” The Bimstec Summit will be held from April 2-4 in Bangkok, Thailand. On April 4, Bimstec is officially led by Bangladesh. Recently, Prime Minister Modi wrote a letter to Younis to emphasize the importance of mutual sensitivity and describe the liberation struggle of Bangladesh as ‘shared history’. He wrote this letter to commemorate the National Day of Bangladesh and the commitment of India to continue the partnership between the two countries. The Indian Foreign Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held several meetings with his peers from neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, on Sunday (March 30) at the Indian Ocean conference in Muscat. The Foreign Minister posted on X after his meeting with the interim advisor of the foreign affairs, Mohammad Tauheed Hussain, of Bangladesh, “The conversation was focused on our bilateral relations as well as Bimstec.” The relations between India and Bangladesh became tense after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina -awami League government. Hasina was forced to flee to India. The interim government founded after the change of power is led by Nobel laureate and economist Muhammad Yunus. The current government in Dhaka faces heavy criticism of the attacks on the minority community. India has repeatedly shared its concerns about Bangladesh on this issue. -Ians mk/ share this story tags