Mohammad Yunus has met PM Modi for the first time after the coup in Bangladesh. The two leaders met in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, where they have come to attend the BIMSTEC summit. This meeting is special in itself because the distance from India has increased after the coup of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh last year, India-Bangladesh relations seem to be strong. Mohammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh, went to China on his first foreign trip and offered his land to China for access to the northeastern states of India there. India raised their strong objection to this.
India is showing big heart
After the coup, Sheikh Hasina had to flee to India. In the months after the change of power, India also expressed concern over the news of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. While Dhaka has emphasized that “Bangladesh’s minorities are the issue of Bangladesh”.
Bangladesh is hearing the tone of Khilafat from Bangladesh, but India has so far shown a big heart for this neighboring country. Last week, Prime Minister Modi wrote a letter to Younus on the occasion of National Day of Bangladesh, in which he highlighted the importance of mutual sensitivity, describing Bangladesh liberation struggle as ‘common history’. He wrote, “We are inspired by our shared aspirations for peace, stability and prosperity and are committed to pursue this partnership based on mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns.”
Significantly, New Delhi is concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh under the current interim government. In August 2024, the Unis rule has been strongly criticized for acquitting extremist elements since the collapse of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and to blame many Islamists.
The Ministry of External Affairs has said on several occasions that India supports a stable, peaceful, inclusive and progressive Bangladesh in which all issues should be resolved by organizing democratic methods and by holding inclusive and participation. The Ministry of Ministry (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal has said, “We are concerned about the situation of deteriorating law and order, which has increased even more due to the release of violent extremists decorated for serious crimes.”
Due to the frequent attacks on members of minorities, especially Hindu and Ahmedia communities in Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly highlighted this serious issue and thwarted the interim government’s investigation which is only showing off.
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