BIMSTEC Summit: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus held important talks at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, their first since Sheikh Hasina's ouster. The discussions, centered on the extradition of Hasina and the Ganga water treaty, were described as constructive amid strained relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus held an important meeting on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, marking their first face-to-face discussion since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina last August. The meeting, which was requested by Bangladesh, focused on several key issues affecting both countries, including the controversial extradition of the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the ongoing concerns over the Ganga water treaty.
BIMSTEC Summit Talks Between Modi and Yunus: India Urges Bangladesh to Investigate Over 2,400 Minority Attacks
During the BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus held crucial talks, with India raising serious concerns about the alarming rise in attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Over 2,400 incidents targeting Hindus and other minority groups have been reported between August 2024 and March 2025. India has urged the Bangladesh government to thoroughly investigate these attacks and hold perpetrators accountable,without attributing them to political motives.
In a written response to a query in Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted that the Indian government has consistently raised the issue of human rights violations in Bangladesh, pressing for justice. Despite Bangladesh’s announcement of 70 arrests in 88 cases of violence against minorities, subsequent investigations have confirmed only 1,254 verified incidents.
The Indian government has stressed the importance of justice, urging Bangladesh not to justify these actions as politically motivated, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
Yunus’ China Remarks on Northeast India Fuel Tensions Ahead of BIMSTEC Summit Talks
The recent BIMSTEC Summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus come at a time of heightened diplomatic friction. Yunus’ comments during a visit to China, where he highlighted the “landlocked” status of India’s northeast and positioned Bangladesh as the key gateway to the Indian Ocean, have sparked controversy. His remarks, aimed at strengthening ties with China, have drawn sharp criticism from Indian officials, especially from the Chief Minister of Assam and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Yunus’ statement about Bangladesh being the region’s oceanic “guardian” has further fueled tensions, as India views it as a challenge to its regional influence. The situation is compounded by Bangladesh’s repeated requests for India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, which India has yet to fulfill. These growing disputes are likely to have been a key point of discussion during the BIMSTEC Summit, highlighting the ongoing challenges in India-Bangladesh relations and the impact of external influences on their bilateral ties.
Jaishankar Highlights Northeast Connectivity Hub Amid Rising Religious Violence in Bangladesh
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently emphasized the northeast’s emerging role as a strategic connectivity hub for India, advocating for comprehensive regional cooperation with neighboring countries. His comments came against the backdrop of rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, fueled by a surge in religious violence targeting Hindus.
In recent months, attacks on Hindu communities, including the killing of 23 individuals and the vandalism of over 152 Hindu temples — including ISKCON — have triggered widespread concern. These incidents have become a major flashpoint in India-Bangladesh relations, prompting international calls for action to protect religious minorities. Jaishankar’s remarks underline India’s broader regional strategy and the need for a unified approach to regional development, highlighting how such violence complicates diplomatic efforts and cooperation across South Asia.
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