By Mustak Zahid
DHAKA: The first in-person meeting between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place on Friday on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations following the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year.
According to Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, the historic meeting involved senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim.
The meeting came after a formal request from Dhaka, conveyed through diplomatic channels, to arrange talks between Yunus and Modi during the Summit. Chief Adviser Yunus raised several critical issues, such as Hasina’s extradition, the sharing of waters from common rivers, and the ongoing border killings, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. “The meeting was very constructive, productive, and fruitful. All issues of mutual interest were discussed,” Alam told reporters.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that additional concerns were addressed, including attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, and the issue of illegal immigration. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Modi reiterated India’s commitment to supporting a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.” “Prime Minister Modi underlined to Prof Yunus India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh,” Misri added.
