Modi Not Expected to Meet Bangladesh’s Yunus at UN General Assembly
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to meet Muhammad Yunus, chief of Bangladesh’s interim government, during the upcoming UN General Assembly, following Yunus’s unfavorable remarks about India-Bangladesh relations. Tensions between the countries have intensified since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, complicating diplomatic dialogues and leading to an officially busy schedule for Modi in the US.
New Delhi has indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not anticipated to engage in a meeting with Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week. This decision follows a formal request from Bangladesh for a meeting, aimed at alleviating tensions that have arisen in recent diplomatic relations since the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government. Despite Dhaka’s interest, sources reveal that such a meeting is not included in the Prime Minister’s agenda. Prime Minister Modi’s schedule during his three-day visit to the United States is expected to be particularly busy, featuring participation in the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21, and an address at the UNGA Summit of the Future on September 23. While he is likely to have bilateral discussions with other leaders, a dialogue with Yunus is reportedly not on the list. Additionally, tensions have been exacerbated by Yunus’s recent comments regarding India-Bangladesh relations, deemed unfavorable from New Delhi’s perspective. In a recent interview, Yunus criticized former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks made from India, suggesting that Bangladesh might consider seeking her extradition. He expressed the view that India should move beyond the narrative portraying political parties other than Hasina’s Awami League as “Islamist”. Members of the interim government, including the interim foreign minister Touhid Hossain, have echoed sentiments about potentially seeking the extradition of Hasina, although it was acknowledged that such actions could lead to diplomatic embarrassment for the Indian government. The Indian administration clarified that Hasina’s recent visit to India was granted at short notice and that she currently remains mostly out of contact while in a safe location. Sources also mentioned that while a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and former President Donald Trump is not part of the agenda, a potential encounter between the two in New York cannot be entirely dismissed.
The article focuses on the diplomatic relationship between India and Bangladesh, particularly in the context of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. The tension primarily stems from remarks made by Muhammad Yunus regarding Sheikh Hasina, who was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh until recently. Yunus’s criticisms have provoked a negative reception in New Delhi, leading to a lack of expected dialogue between Modi and Yunus at the UNGA. Furthermore, the growing political unrest in Bangladesh following Hasina’s government removal complicates the relationship, with specific legal discussions around her extradition portraying a dynamic of political tension that impacts bilateral relations.
Overall, the anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Muhammad Yunus at the United Nations General Assembly is unlikely to occur due to scheduling conflicts and the current diplomatic strains exacerbated by recent comments from Yunus regarding India-Bangladesh relations. This context highlights the intricate web of political relations between the two nations, particularly in light of Yunus’s statements and the political situation surrounding Sheikh Hasina’s exiled status in India. As the UNGA approaches, these diplomatic nuances remain critical to understanding the future trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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