Location: Bangkok, Thailand

In a significant development for regional diplomacy, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 3, 2025, on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok. This meeting, the first face-to-face engagement between the two leaders since the political transition in Bangladesh, offers a promising outlook for the future of Bangladesh-India relations.​

The political landscape in Bangladesh underwent a dramatic shift on August 5, 2024, when widespread student-led protests culminated in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Following this upheaval, Professor Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government. This transition has notably strained relations with neighboring India, a nation that had maintained close ties with Hasina’s administration. ​Financial Times, RAND Corporation, The Diplomat

The BIMSTEC Summit, held from April 2 to April 4, 2025, in Bangkok, brought together leaders from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The summit’s agenda focused on enhancing regional cooperation in trade, transportation, and disaster relief efforts, especially in light of the recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar. ​Reuters AP News

On April 3, during the summit, Prime Minister Modi and Chief Adviser Yunus held a bilateral meeting—their first since the political transition in Bangladesh. A notable moment during this meeting was when Prime Minister Modi, along with the entire Indian delegation, stood to warmly receive Dr. Yunus, underscoring the respect and significance attributed to him as a distinguished leader. During their discussions, Modi urged Yunus to avoid rhetoric that could further strain bilateral relations. He reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of pragmatic cooperation between the two nations. ​Reuters

Additionally, Yunus presented Modi with a photograph from 2015, capturing Modi awarding Yunus a gold medal at the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Mumbai. This gesture highlighted the longstanding ties between the two leaders.​

The meeting has been viewed positively, with observers suggesting that it may pave the way for improved relations between Bangladesh and India. The Daily Star editorialized that the meeting is a “positive step” toward mending ties.​

The successful engagement between Yunus and Modi offers hope for a reset in Bangladesh-India relations. Both nations face the challenge of navigating post-transition dynamics while addressing regional concerns. Continued dialogue and cooperation will be essential in fostering a stable and prosperous relationship moving forward.