In a notable diplomatic encounter, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus in Thailand. This marks their initial interaction since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August, set against a backdrop of tense India-Bangladesh relations. Sources indicate that Bangladesh requested this bilateral discussion during the BIMSTEC summit.
Visuals captured the leaders sharing a firm handshake before their talks, signaling a formal start to the meeting. The buzz intensified as Modi and Yunus were spotted seated side-by-side at the BIMSTEC leaders’ dinner on Thursday evening, prompting speculation of an unscheduled exchange.
Watch: Visuals of PM Modi, Bangladesh's Yunus meeting in Bangkok https://t.co/3ULZjYesGg pic.twitter.com/eozZCfrO6n
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 4, 2025
The timing of this meeting is significant, following Yunus’s recent statements that stirred controversy in India. During a trip to China, he underscored Bangladesh’s strategic role as the sole entry point to the Indian Ocean and pushed for greater Chinese influence in the region. These remarks drew sharp rebukes from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Assam Chief Minister, adding strain to already fragile ties between the neighboring nations.
