During a significant bilateral meeting in Bangkok, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus presented a nostalgic photograph to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This meeting marked the first official engagement since the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government last August and took place on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit, amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh.
The photo, taken on January 3, 2015, at the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Mumbai, depicts PM Modi awarding Yunus a gold medal. This gesture of goodwill saw the two leaders pose for a smiling photo opportunity, signaling an effort to maintain diplomatic relations despite ongoing disputes.
The Bangladesh government confirmed that Yunus presented the photograph during their meeting, highlighting the significance of their previous interactions. Sources indicate that the meeting was initiated by Bangladesh, with anticipation building after both leaders were seated together at the BIMSTEC leaders’ dinner the night before.
Yunus’s recent statements made in China have exacerbated existing tensions. While visiting Beijing, he stressed Bangladesh’s strategic importance as a key access point to the Indian Ocean for India’s landlocked northeastern states, prompting sharp backlash from Indian officials, including the Assam Chief Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Although PM Modi has refrained from directly addressing Yunus’s comments, he reiterated at the BIMSTEC summit that India’s northeastern region remains pivotal to the group. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to regional cooperation and cautioned against selective partnerships.
Compounding these diplomatic challenges are reports of increased violence against Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh. Additionally, India has consistently rejected requests from Dhaka for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, further complicating diplomatic relations.
Despite the ongoing tensions, PM Modi recently sent a letter to Yunus in celebration of Bangladesh’s National Day, underscoring the necessity of mutual sensitivity and understanding between the two nations.
