Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus met for the first time since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, marking a significant development in India-Bangladesh relations.
The leaders of India and Bangladesh met on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, marking their first encounter since Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising. The meeting was seen as a significant development in the already complex relationship between the two countries.
The India-Bangladesh relationship has a complex history, with periods of conflict and cooperation.
The two countries share a 4,096 km border, which was disputed until the signing of the Land Boundary Agreement in 2015.
India provided significant economic and humanitarian aid to Bangladesh during its struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Today, bilateral trade between the two nations exceeds $10 billion annually, with India being one of Bangladesh's largest trading partners.
Constructive Dialogue Amid Tensions
During the 40-minute meeting, Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop Hasina from making ‘incendiary remarks’ while she remains in India. In response, Modi asked Yunus to ‘avoid any rhetoric that poisons the atmosphere,’ and expressed support for a democratic, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.
Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi economist and founder of Grameen Bank.
He pioneered microfinance, providing small loans to impoverished individuals, enabling them to start their own businesses.
Born in 1940, Yunus introduced the concept of microcredit in 1983, revolutionizing access to financial services for the poor.
His innovative approach earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
Grameen Bank's success has been replicated globally, with millions benefiting from microfinance initiatives.
Yunus’ office released a statement saying that Hasina has consistently made false and inflammatory accusations against the interim government of Bangladesh. The Indian Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, also quoted Modi as saying this during their meeting. Meanwhile, Bangladesh described the meeting as ‘very constructive and fruitful’ and addressed issues of mutual interest.
A Shift in India-Bangladesh Relations
The ouster of Hasina has soured both countries’ relations, which had long-standing ties under her leadership. Hasina was considered a reliable ally of Modi, but her exile and close ties to India are faced with strong opposition in Bangladesh, contributing to the strained relationship between the two countries.
In recent months, Yunus has been engaged in efforts to improve Bangladesh’s ties with other countries, including China and Pakistan. This shift in approach may indicate a new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations, as both countries navigate their complex relationships with each other and with other nations in the region.
