Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Thailand as of April 3, 2025, to attend the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit, held on April 3-4. This visit has brought him face-to-face with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, marking their first in-person encounter since Yunus assumed office in August 2024, following the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The two leaders were notably seated next to each other at an official dinner hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on April 3, ahead of the summit. This seating arrangement has fueled speculation about a potential bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the event. Bangladesh has officially requested such a meeting, with Khalilur Rahman, Yunus’s high representative, expressing optimism by stating there is a “high possibility” it will occur, though India has not yet confirmed it. Indian government sources indicate that Modi’s bilateral engagements are still being finalized.
This encounter comes amid strained India-Bangladesh relations, particularly following Yunus’s recent comments during a visit to China, where he described India’s northeastern states as “landlocked” and positioned Bangladesh as a key maritime gateway, prompting a sharp reaction from India. The BIMSTEC Summit provides a platform for Modi and Yunus to potentially address these tensions, alongside regional cooperation topics like maritime agreements and connectivity, which are central to the summit’s agenda.
