Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cautioned Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to avoid rhetoric that could strain bilateral ties and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi Hindus.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Thailand. During their interaction, PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh despite the recent slump.
"PM Modi reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He underlined to Prof Yunus India's desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing.
"The PM also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided," he said.
PM Modi’s remarks come amid controversy over Yunus’s recent comments inviting China to expand its economic influence into India’s northeastern states. The Nobel laureate's comments were denounced by India.
Relations between the two neighbours have been under stress following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Ties further deteriorated due to targeted attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority and the rise of hardline Islamist forces.
"The PM also underlined India's concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh," Misri added.
Border security was also a key topic in the discussion, with the Prime Minister stressing the importance of strict enforcement of the law to prevent illegal crossings.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were also present during the meeting.
Yunus, during a visit to China last week, had described Bangladesh as the "only guardian of the ocean" in the region, before suggesting that India’s northeastern states could benefit from closer ties with Beijing.
His remarks triggered an outcry in India, prompting Bangladeshi officials to later issue clarifications on the statement. Amid the controversy, Dhaka, in damage control mode, reached out to New Delhi seeking a meeting between Yunus and PM Modi.
