Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, on Friday—their first official meeting since a political uprising in Dhaka toppled New Delhi’s longtime ally, Sheikh Hasina.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC regional summit in Thailand. Yunus later shared a photograph on social media, showing him shaking hands with Modi.
The two leaders had attended a dinner with other BIMSTEC heads of state on Thursday night in Bangkok, but their bilateral discussion on Friday marked a significant moment in the shifting relationship between the neighboring nations.
Yunus assumed leadership of Bangladesh in August 2024 following a student-led revolution that ousted Hasina, who subsequently fled to India. Hasina’s government had long enjoyed strong support from New Delhi, and her removal led to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Since then, relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained, with senior officials on both sides exchanging sharp remarks. Bangladesh has also sought Hasina’s extradition on charges including mass murder, but she remains in India under New Delhi’s protection.
The caretaker government under Yunus has been tasked with implementing democratic reforms ahead of fresh elections scheduled for June 2026.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC regional summit in Thailand. Yunus later shared a photograph on social media, showing him shaking hands with Modi.
The two leaders had attended a dinner with other BIMSTEC heads of state on Thursday night in Bangkok, but their bilateral discussion on Friday marked a significant moment in the shifting relationship between the neighboring nations.
Yunus assumed leadership of Bangladesh in August 2024 following a student-led revolution that ousted Hasina, who subsequently fled to India. Hasina’s government had long enjoyed strong support from New Delhi, and her removal led to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Since then, relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained, with senior officials on both sides exchanging sharp remarks. Bangladesh has also sought Hasina’s extradition on charges including mass murder, but she remains in India under New Delhi’s protection.
The caretaker government under Yunus has been tasked with implementing democratic reforms ahead of fresh elections scheduled for June 2026.
