Dr Yunus-Modi likely meeting at Bimstec summit
A potential meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim government head Dr Muhammad Yunus, may take place during the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand next month. However, Indian authorities have yet to respond to Dhaka’s proposal.
“There has been no response yet,” said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday, when asked if Delhi had reacted to the request for a meeting between the two leaders.
Bangladesh formally reached out to India on Wednesday via diplomatic channels, proposing a meeting between Dr Yunus and Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
On March 21, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated there were no updates available concerning any bilateral talks between the leaders. The MEA spokesperson also emphasized that India-Bangladesh relations span a wide spectrum, covering development cooperation, trade, connectivity, and other key sectors.
Dr Yunus is expected to attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok from April 2 to 4 during a two-day official visit to Thailand.
Officials have confirmed that Bangladesh will assume the BIMSTEC chairmanship at this summit, with Thailand currently serving in that role since taking over from Sri Lanka on March 30, 2022.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) includes seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey recently highlighted the importance of the upcoming summit, stating that it is expected to yield meaningful outcomes and set a strategic direction for the organization’s future.
Dr Yunus reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with India, describing the bilateral relationship as essential and deeply interlinked. He expressed confidence in the continued strength of the partnership, noting India as a vital business ally of Bangladesh.
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