Bangladesh Seeks PM Narendra Modi-Muhammad Yunus Meet: India Weighs Options On Request Ahead Of BIMSTEC Summit

New Delhi: India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has revealed that Bangladesh's request for a meeting between its interim government's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit is under consideration. EAM Jaishankar reportedly announced this before a Parliamentary panel on Saturday. The latest development has come up amid growing tensions between the two nations, particularly with regard to the recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. 

Several MPs, including KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Mukul Wasnik, raised concerns about the targetted killings of Hindus in Bangladesh during the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for External Affairs meeting. Jaishankar informed the members that the interim government in Dhaka has claimed that the attacks on Hindus were "politically motivated" and not "minority targeted". However, this explanation has done little to alleviate the concerns of Indian lawmakers.

Jaishankar briefed the MPs on India's ties with Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, underscoring the complexities of the relationships. He also stated that SAARC was inactive due to Pakistan's approach, prompting India to strengthen BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Experts see the step as a strategic move, an attempt to counterbalance Pakistan's influence in the region.

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BIMSTEC Summit

The BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled to take place in Bangkok from April 2 to 4, is expected to be a crucial meeting for India and Bangladesh. Jaishankar indicated that Prime Minister Modi may attend the summit, although a final decision is yet to be made. The meeting between Modi and Yunus, if it takes place, will be closely watched, given the current tensions between the two nations.

First Consultative Committee Meeting of 2025 For External Affairs

The External Affairs Minister recently concluded the first Consultative Committee Meeting of 2025 for External Affairs, focusing on India's relationships with its neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. During the meeting, several MPs, including KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Mukul Wasnik, raised concerns about the targeted killings of Hindus in Bangladesh and asked what the government was doing to stop them. Jaishankar assured them that the government was engaged with the interim dispensation in Bangladesh at various levels and had raised the issue, which would continue to be pursued.

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Other Issues Of Discussion

During the meeting, another key issue, which was discussed, was fishermen's livelihood. The MPs from southern India raised concerns about the problems faced by fishermen in Sri Lanka. Apart from fishermen's issues, the members also discussed the issue of drugs and arms being smuggled into India from Pakistan and Myanmar, with Jaishankar stating that the government was actively addressing the matter.

Jaishankar expressed his gratitude to the participating MPs, including P Margherita, Manish Tewari, Vaiko, and Priyanka Chaturvedi, for their active participation in the meeting. The discussion was preceded by a detailed presentation on India's relations with Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka by Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry.