'Ensure Safety Of Hindus, Avoid Vitiating Rhetoric': PM Modi's Two Strong Messages To Bangladesh's Yunus At BIMSTEC Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the head of Bangladesh's interim government, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday (4 April).

This marked their first meeting because since Hasina’s ouster, aside from a congratulatory message sent by PM Modi to Yunus, bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh had been muted.

PM Modi conveyed two strong messages to Yunus. One regarding India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus and the other against Bangladesh's 'vitiating rhetoric'.

Notably, Yunus has recently called Northeast India a 'Chinese extension' indirectly. Without directly mentioning his remarks, the PM urged that rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided.

In an apparent counter to Yunus' remarks earlier, EAM Jaishankar, during the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting in Bangkok, said that India's Northeast is emerging as a "connectivity hub" for Southeast Asia.

PM Modi also expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against minorities, especially Hindus.

Support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh was extended with demands of strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night.

PM Modi congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the Chair of BIMSTEC and looked forward to the forum further advancing regional cooperation under its leadership, while forging a 'positive and constructive relationship' with India.

Modi expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.