Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met at the BIMSTEC Summit, marking their first encounter since former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster. The meeting comes in the midst of diplomatic tensions after Yunus's comments during his visit to China, where he encouraged their influence in Bangladesh, referring to the country as the "only guardian of the ocean" in the region. This remark was met with criticism from India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who highlighted India's expanding connectivity in the Northeast as a hub for the BIMSTEC countries.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, marking their first meeting since Yunus took office. This comes after a period of muted bilateral engagement following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The meeting addresses tensions caused by Yunus' controversial statement about the Northeast region and highlights India's efforts to strengthen the BIMSTEC region through connectivity. In a separate news, actor Ahn Bo Hyun has reportedly unfollowed Kim Soo Hyun amidst the latter's downfall following a dating scandal involving the late actor Kim Sae Ron.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus recently visited China and urged Beijing to extend its economic influence to the country, mentioning that India's northeastern states being landlocked could be seen as an opportunity. The remark, made during Yunus' trip, has sparked controversy on social media. Yunus also called Bangladesh the only guardian of the ocean in the region, and stated that this could be a huge opportunity for China to extend its economy.
Bangladesh is eagerly waiting for India's response on the proposed bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BIMSTEC summit. This meeting could potentially improve strained relations between the two countries. The meeting was requested through a letter sent by Bangladesh, and now they are waiting for India's confirmation. Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin expressed their interest in the meeting during a briefing today, stating that it could help overcome existing tensions.
Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh who is currently in exile in India, has publicly condemned interim government chief Muhammad Yunus for unleashing "terrorists" and creating an environment of "lawlessness" in the country. In response, the Yunus-led interim government has reaffirmed its commitment to extradite Hasina from India, while she continues to seek justice for the widows of police officers killed during a student uprising in 2024. This ongoing tension between the two leaders highlights the ongoing political strife in Bangladesh.
As the 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair kickstarted in 2025, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for stronger exports by investing in the services sector. He urged the business community to explore opportunities beyond products and enhance Bangladesh's export base. In addition, the CA proposed introducing an "Entrepreneur of the Year" initiative to recognize and promote the individuals behind the country's products, along with the traditional "Product of the Year" model. The government's efforts to showcase Bangladesh's diverse products in the global market were also highlighted.
Bangladesh's chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, has condemned the violent clashes that erupted over the arrest of a Hindu religious leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. A public prosecutor was killed in the clash, prompting the government to order an investigation and increase security in Chittagong. The arrest of the monk, who is associated with a group advocating for the protection of Hindu minorities, has sparked outrage among his supporters.
Hindus in Bangladesh took to the streets demanding the release of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu after he was detained by officials and taken to an undisclosed location. Protests turned violent when unknown miscreants attacked protesters in Dhaka and Chittagong, leading to injuries of over 20 people. Sources suggest that the arrest was a ploy by the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to target the minority Hindu community.
The recent announcement by Muhammad Yunus that Bangladesh's interim government will seek the extradition of former premier Sheikh Hasina from India has put the Indian government in a difficult position. With strained relations between the two countries and concerns over safety and stability, India must carefully weigh the pros and cons of complying with the request. This situation also raises questions about India's legal obligations and the potential impact on their relationship with Bangladesh's ruling parties.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Old Dhaka on Saturday to exchange greetings with the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja. His visit came amidst reports of attacks on other Durga Puja celebrations in Dhaka. Earlier, India had raised serious concern over the incidents and urged the government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities. During his visit, Yunus condemned the attacks and praised law enforcement agencies for their efforts in ensuring public security during Durga Puja.