What happened?
On 4 April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This marked their first meeting since Yunus assumed charge following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. Modi was joined by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. He raised concerns over minority safety in Bangladesh and cautioned against provocative rhetoric, referencing Yunus’s recent claim that India’s Northeast is “landlocked” and Bangladesh is its “only guardian of the ocean.”
Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to a democratic, stable, and inclusive Bangladesh, highlighting the bilateral relationship’s people-centric nature. He urged strict border control, especially at night, to prevent illegal crossings. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later said Modi called for investigation into reported attacks on minorities. Yunus’s earlier remarks during a China visit, suggesting Bangladesh could be an ocean gateway for Northeast India, drew sharp responses from Indian leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Why it matters to India:
This meeting is critical as India navigates a complex transition in Bangladesh’s leadership amid Dhaka’s increasing proximity to Beijing. Yunus’s comments on Northeast India touch on a sensitive geopolitical nerve, especially regarding the Siliguri Corridor—India’s strategic link to its eastern states. India’s concerns about minority rights, border security, and regional rhetoric reflect broader anxieties over stability in its eastern neighbourhood. Sustaining constructive ties with Bangladesh is essential for India’s Act East Policy and managing China’s growing influence in South Asia.