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Avoid rhetoric that vitiates constructive relationship, urges PM Modi during talks with Bangladesh’s Yunus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus held bilateral discussions in Bangkok on Friday on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.

The bilateral meeting lasted for 40 minutes. At a media briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said: “The Prime Minister reiterated India’s support for a democratic stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He underlined that India believes in a people centric approach to the relationship between the two countries and highlighted the cooperation between the two countries over a long period of time that has delivered tangible benefits to the people of both the nations.”

“In this spirit, he [Mr. Modi] underlined India’s desire to forge a constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on spirit of pragmatism. The Prime Minister also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided, Misri added.

Misri also said Modi raised the issue of illegal crossing of borders and safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus.

“Prime Minister urged that rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided. On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability. Bilateral mechanism could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties,” Misri said.

Modi “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 the cases of atrocities committed against them.”

Meanwhile Bangladesh Press Advisor said Prof Yunus raised all issues related to Bangladesh interests. “The discussion covered the response of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the provocative statements she is making in India, stopping border killings, renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, and the Teesta Treaty.” he added.

The Modi-Yunus meeting is a first since the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, comes after months of Delhi-Dhaka tensions over attacks on minorities and Hasina’s continued stay in India.

Yunus’s comments about including India’s northeastern region and Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh as an “extension of the Chinese economy” during a visit to Beijing this week had also led to misgivings in Delhi. Modi also spoke at the BIMSTEC Summit plenary session later in the day.