New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet with Bangladesh’s new leader, Mohammad Yunus, in Bangkok early next month.
According to Bangladeshi media reports citing foreign ministry officials, Yunus will attend the upcoming BIMSTEC summit in the Thai capital on September 4.
This will mark his first foreign visit as chief adviser of the interim government sworn in following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister and her departure from the country amid widespread protests.
As India is a member of the sub-regional group, Modi will also be attending the summit, where he is likely to meet Yunus for the first time as chief adviser. A bilateral meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the event.
India is currently giving shelter to Hasina, who has been in the country since August 5. The Awami League government under Hasina was seen as being closely aligned with India, so its overthrow by a popular student-led movement has raised questions about the future direction of the bilateral relationship.
Nobel laureate Yunus had called Modi last Friday. During their conversation, the Indian leader raised concerns about attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
While Yunus had reiterated his commitment to safeguard every citizen in Bangladesh, he also observed that “reports of attacks on minorities have been exaggerated”.
Modi has previously met Yunus when honouring him at two Indian Science Congresses in 2015 and 2017.
