PM Modi, Muhammad Yunus Seated Together at Thailand Official Dinner Ahead of BIMSTEC Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus were seated next to each other at an official dinner hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ahead of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit. Their seating arrangement has sparked speculation about a potential bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the regional gathering.

Apart from PM Modi, the BIMSTEC summit will see participation from leaders of Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan. The high-profile event comes at a crucial time as regional cooperation remains a priority for member states.

The India-Bangladesh relationship has faced turbulence since last year following India’s concerns over incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. These tensions escalated after the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

A potential meeting between PM Modi and Yunus could be significant, given recent diplomatic unease. Political observers note that a discussion between the two leaders may help address key concerns and pave the way for future engagements between the two neighboring countries.

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The meeting speculation follows Muhammad Yunus’s recent controversial remarks about India’s Northeast region during his visit to China. Yunus described the Northeast as “landlocked” and positioned Bangladesh as the region’s primary maritime gateway, stating that Northeast India had “no way to reach out to the ocean” without access through Bangladesh. He also called on China to expand its economic influence in Bangladesh, referring to the country as the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region.

These remarks drew sharp reactions from Indian political leaders. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed Yunus’s statements “offensive and unacceptable,” emphasizing the strategic importance of the Northeast for India’s sovereignty. Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also condemned the comments, accusing Bangladesh’s interim leadership of treating India’s Northeast as a “strategic pawn.” Singh urged Yunus to refrain from making “irresponsible remarks” regarding India’s territorial integrity.

The BIMSTEC summit is seen as an opportunity for India to strengthen ties with regional partners. While no official confirmation has been made regarding a formal bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Yunus, diplomatic experts suggest that their interaction at the official dinner signals the possibility of discussions aimed at easing tensions.

As the summit progresses, attention will remain focused on whether India and Bangladesh can move towards a resolution of recent diplomatic challenges. The evolving situation could shape future engagements and cooperation between the two nations in the broader BIMSTEC framework.