PM Modi Meets Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus Amid Strained Bilateral Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a crucial meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This marked their first formal interaction since Yunus assumed power in Dhaka following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened diplomatic sensitivity between the two countries, with recent shifts in Bangladesh’s foreign policy and controversial remarks from Yunus sparking concern in New Delhi.
Addressing Regional Tensions
Relations between India and Bangladesh have become strained in recent months, largely due to Dhaka’s warming ties with Beijing and concerns over minority rights and regional narratives. Yunus’s earlier comments describing Northeast India as “landlocked” and implying that Bangladesh is the region’s only access point to the sea had drawn criticism from Indian leaders and officials.
Despite this backdrop, the meeting is being viewed as an important opportunity to restore diplomatic engagement and ease tensions through dialogue. Both sides reportedly discussed ways to enhance regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and strategic stability under the BIMSTEC framework.
Signals of Recalibration
The interaction between Modi and Yunus is being seen as a sign of cautious recalibration in bilateral relations. While trust deficits remain, especially over Dhaka’s increasing alignment with China, the willingness to engage signals a recognition of mutual interests in ensuring peace and cooperation in South Asia.
With both India and Bangladesh playing pivotal roles in the Bay of Bengal region, continued diplomatic contact is expected to be essential in navigating emerging regional challenges and recalibrating ties in the wake of leadership transitions and shifting alliances.
