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Hasina, Border, Water Issues figure in Dr. Yunus-Modi Talks
In a significant diplomatic development, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in Dhaka-Delhi relations, viewed as the most important engagement since the July Uprising in Bangladesh.
This was the first-ever face-to-face meeting between the two South Asian leaders since the formation of Bangladesh’s interim government on August 8, following the fall of the previous government just days earlier.
Dr. Yunus: "We will hold free, fair, and participatory elections"
According to Dr. Yunus’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, who confirmed the meeting to UNB, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
Key Bangladeshi officials were also in attendance, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim.
A Major Step Forward in Dhaka-Delhi Relations
This meeting is seen as the most significant diplomatic development between India and Bangladesh since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to Delhi and remains in exile. Analysts view the talks as a crucial step in reshaping the bilateral relationship and addressing regional security and economic issues.
Earlier, Bangladesh had proactively approached India through diplomatic channels to facilitate the meeting between Dr. Yunus and Prime Minister Modi on the margins of the summit. This shows a keen interest in building stronger ties with India, particularly in light of recent political shifts in Bangladesh.
Dr. Yunus Calls for Collective Efforts to Strengthen BIMSTEC
In his pre-departure remarks from India, Prime Minister Modi expressed his eagerness to meet with the BIMSTEC leaders, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing common regional challenges. “I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with the interests of our people in mind,” Modi stated as he commenced his visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka on Thursday.
As both leaders seek to forge stronger ties, the outcome of this meeting could shape the future of BIMSTEC, with a renewed focus on regional unity and shared prosperity.