Avoid rhetoric that vitiates environment, ensure safety of Hindus: PM to Yunus
PM Narendra Modi's candid remarks come against the backdrop of Muhammad Yunus inviting China to expand its influence in India's Northeast and calling the region 'landlocked'.
The comments were strongly denounced by India.
PM Modi stressed positive India-Bangladesh ties, avoiding harmful rhetoric
Border security and minority safety were key discussion points
Modi cautioned Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus against rhetoric that could strain bilateral ties and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Bangkok, marking their first meeting since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
Bangladesh chief adviser presented a throwback picture of Indian Science Congress from 2015 to the Prime Minister during the bilateral meet.
Sharing the images, the government of Bangladesh said, = "The photo is about Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting a gold medal to Professor Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress on January 3, 2015."
(This somehow shows desperation on the part of Dhaka to gain legitimacy for Yunus -- who came to power in August 2024 after ousting Sheikh Hasina, who enjoyed both a smooth bilateral and personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi and also Indian government.)
Relations between the South Asian neighbours, which were robust under Sheikh Hasina, have deteriorated after August 5, 2024 in the face of massive student-led protests.
The involvement of foreign mercenaries in the protest has not been ruled out by several quarters.
"Prime Minister (Modi) urged ... that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided," India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters.
"(Modi) reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," Misri said, adding that the Indian leader had also stressed New Delhi's desire for "a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on a spirit of pragmatism".
The two leaders discussed Bangladesh's request seeking Hasina's extradition, Misri said, without elaborating further.
"She has consistently made false and inflammatory accusations against the interim government of Bangladesh," the statement from Bangladesh quoted Yunus as saying.
Foreign Secretary Misri said Modi had asked Yunus to help maintain border security and stability, and expressed his hope that Bangladesh would thoroughly investigate all cases of "atrocities" committed against people from minority groups, including Hindus.
India has repeatedly urged Bangladesh to protect its minority Hindus, saying they were being targeted in the Muslim-majority country since Yunus took charge.
Yunus, who assumed the chairmanship of BIMSTEC, sought the support of India for a Free Trade Agreement among the seven members of the group.
He called for discussions to renew the Ganges Water Treaty and to conclude the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement.
Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar twice -- once in New York in September last year and again in February in Oman. However, bilateral relations have remained strained.
India has repeatedly expressed concerns over alleged attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh.
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