BANGKOK, April 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised the issue of safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, during his meeting with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

This marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since the ouster of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the subsequent formation of the interim government under Yunus’ leadership in August last year.

Prime Minister Modi urged Yunus that any rhetoric which vitiates the environment is best avoided. He expressed confidence that all issues of mutual interest between India and Bangladesh would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive dialogue, in the interest of the long-standing relationship between the two nations.

“Prime Minister also underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating all cases of atrocities committed against them,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a media briefing held after the BIMSTEC Summit.

During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He emphasised India’s belief in a people-centric approach to the bilateral relationship and acknowledged the cooperation between the two nations over time, which has yielded tangible benefits for their citizens.

“In this spirit, he once again underlined to Prof Yunus India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on a spirit of pragmatism. Prime Minister also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided,” Misri reiterated.

On matters of border security, PM Modi emphasised the strict enforcement of law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, as essential for maintaining border security and regional stability. He pointed out that there are multiple mechanisms in place between the two countries that can meet as needed to review and advance bilateral ties.

The two leaders also discussed Bangladesh’s request regarding the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, as well as the broader issue of holding regular and inclusive elections in the country. PM Modi expressed grave concern about attacks on minorities and shared his expectations that Bangladesh would act responsibly. He also highlighted the importance of inclusive elections for ensuring a stable and democratic future for Bangladesh.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh assumed the Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The regional grouping, founded on June 6, 1997, now includes seven member states—Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal—cooperating on a range of issues including healthcare.

“The PM congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the Chair of BIMSTEC and looked forward to the forum further advancing regional cooperation under the leadership of Bangladesh. The leaders also issued views on other issues and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework,” said Misri.

Meanwhile, Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told Bangladeshi media that Yunus presented a photograph to PM Modi during the meeting. The photograph depicted PM Modi awarding a gold medal to Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress held in Mumbai on January 3, 2015.

“All issues of mutual interests were discussed. The meeting was very constructive, productive and fruitful,” Alam said.