Bangladesh’s request for a meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and PM Modi at the BIMSTEC Summit is under consideration. Concerns were raised in Parliament regarding attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Jaishankar assured MPs of ongoing government engagement with Bangladesh, while highlighting regional cooperation efforts amidst discussions on bilateral relations and international issues.

The request from Bangladesh for a meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the forthcoming BIMSTEC Summit is currently under consideration, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This information was relayed during a Parliamentary panel meeting held in New Delhi on March 22, 2025.

During this initial meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for External Affairs, several Members of Parliament expressed their worries regarding reported attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and inquired about India’s response to these incidents. Jaishankar noted that the interim government in Dhaka described these attacks as “politically motivated” rather than targeting minorities specifically.

The minister also discussed India’s diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. While he mentioned addressing issues related to Pakistan and China at a later date, he acknowledged the challenges of SAARC’s inactivity due to Pakistan’s stance, thus emphasizing India’s efforts to bolster BIMSTEC, a regional cooperative framework.

Jaishankar indicated that Prime Minister Modi might attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok from April 2-4, although he did not confirm the visit at the time. Additionally, he stated that Modi would be visiting Sri Lanka in the following month. When questioned about a potential bilateral meeting with Yunus on the summit’s sidelines, Jaishankar remained non-committal, noting that it is still under consideration.

Concerns regarding the safety of Hindus were raised by various MPs, including K.C. Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Mukul Wasnik, who sought clarity on measures taken by the government to address targeted violence. Jaishankar reassured that the government is in continuous dialogue with the interim government of Bangladesh regarding these issues.

Furthermore, other topics of discussion included the challenges faced by fishermen in relation to Sri Lanka and concerns over drug and arms smuggling from Pakistan and Myanmar. Jaishankar confirmed that the government is actively monitoring these matters. Earlier in the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry provided a comprehensive overview of India’s relations with the neighboring countries.

In conclusion, Bangladesh’s request for a meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Modi is currently being considered, amidst rising concerns regarding the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has reiterated India’s commitment to engage with Bangladesh on these pressing issues, while also addressing regional collaboration through BIMSTEC. The government’s proactive approach towards diplomatic relations in South Asia remains evident in ongoing dialogues across various fronts.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com

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