Bangladesh's Diplomatic Initiatives for Modi-Yunus Meeting
Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, Md Jashim Uddin, is optimistic about a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok.
Speaking to ANI on April 2, 2025, Uddin responded, "There has been a request from our side, and we certainly hope that this will take place."
Dhaka's Diplomatic Efforts to Secure the Meeting
Bangladesh has been actively pursuing diplomatic engagement with India. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain assured that Dhaka officially requested a bilateral meeting of the two leaders during the BIMSTEC Summit.
Hossain emphasized the importance of establishing stronger relationships between the two nations, saying:
"We have started a diplomatic visit to India to arrange a bilateral meeting between our two leaders on the margins of the BIMSTEC Summit."
(Source: The Economic Times)
India Still to Confirm Meeting Request
Despite Bangladesh's diplomatic efforts, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is still to confirm on record whether or not the meeting will take place.
On March 21, 2025, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal replied to questions about the potential Modi-Yunus meeting by stating:
"I do not have any update to share at this point in time.".
(Source: Hindustan Times)
The above statement means that there is still uncertainty if the meeting will be organized.
BIMSTEC Summit 2025: Regional Cooperation in Focus
The 6th BIMSTEC Summit is set to take place in Bangkok from April 3 to 4, 2025. Established on June 6, 1997, BIMSTEC serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia and consists of seven member countries:
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- India
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
The summit’s theme this year, "BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open," reflects the regional commitment to strengthening trade, security, and connectivity.
PM Modi’s Schedule at BIMSTEC Summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok and will also hold bilateral talks with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on April 3.
These discussions are expected to cover:
✅ Economic cooperation
✅ Regional security concerns
✅ Trade and connectivity projects
Recent India-Bangladesh Diplomatic Interactions
Prior to the summit, India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations have witnessed affirmative interactions:
- March 31, 2025: PM Modi extended Eid-ul-Fitr wishes to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, and the people of Bangladesh, celebrating the conclusion of Ramadan.
- March 20, 2025: Bangladesh reaffirmed its diplomatic outreach to India, seeking a formal meeting between Modi and Yunus.
Muhammad Yunus shared Modi’s letter on X, stating:
"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends his warm wishes to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr."
(Source: The Economic Times)
Challenges in India-Bangladesh Relations
Although diplomatic interaction has generally been positive, there are some issues:
Border management issues
Trade imbalances
Water-sharing conflicts
Regional security concerns
In spite of these issues, both nations realize that diplomacy and dialogue are the solution to engendering stronger ties and conflict resolution.
Myanmar's Controversial Presence at BIMSTEC
In a historic geopolitical turn, Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the BIMSTEC Summit in person.
- It is one of his first-ever foreign journeys since the 2021 coup in Myanmar.
- The visit follows a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar that caused almost 2,900 fatalities.
- The crisis has led to enhanced diplomatic engagement, with Myanmar aiming to consolidate its relations with regional leaders.
What to Expect from the BIMSTEC Summit?
As BIMSTEC remains at the forefront of regional economic integration, the summit will be focused on:
✔ Trade and investment agreements
✔ Maritime and security cooperation
✔ Energy and infrastructure development
✔ Digital and technology partnerships
Conclusion: Will the Modi-Yunus Meeting Happen?
The tongue-in-cheek PM Narendra Modi vs Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus meeting at the BIMSTEC Summit 2025 is still in question.
While Bangladesh is keen on having the bilateral talks, India has not yet confirmed anything about plans for the meeting. The next few days leading up to the summit will be crucial in determining whether the talks would take place.
Regardless of the outcome, the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok will be a great platform for regional integration and boosting India's diplomacy with Bangladesh and other South Asian nations.
Stay with us for real-time updates on the BIMSTEC Summit 2025!