In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s caretaker Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus held a 40-minute bilateral dialogue in Bangkok Friday in their first formal high-level follow-up since the political change over in Dhaka.
The high-level meeting, held on the fringes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit is being viewed as a bid to repair strained ties after the ouster of veteran Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dissatisfaction over minority attacks and Hasina’s longer than expected visit to India after leaving office, had mounted in recent months.
Photos of the Summit showing PM Modi and Mr Yunus exchanging warm greetings indicated a possible thaw. The Ministry of External Affairs is likely to give out of detailed outcome of the talks.
The conversation takes place against the backdrop of backlash over comments made by Yunus recently in Beijing, where he referred to India’s northeast and Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh as an “extension of Chinese economy” – comments which seem to have caused a stir in New Delhi.
Besides diplomatic unease, the leaders also sat at the same table during the BIMSTEC dinner, signifying in a way a commitment to regional cooperation. PM Modi is due to address the BIMSTEC plenary session later on the day for a more definitive vision of India’s stance.
The negotiations could potentially open the door to fresh engagement and economic realignment within South Asia’s shifting politics.
