With a strong focus on Neighbourhood First policy, aiming to thwart China’s influence in the region, Modi Friday held bilateral meetings with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh Interim Government Muhammad Yunus and Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok
Modi In Thailand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his government’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy on Friday by holding two important bilateral meetings in Bangkok during the BIMSTEC 2025 Summit. He met Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, and also with Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's junta. This marks the first meeting between Modi and both Yunus and Hlaing since their respective countries experienced significant political changes.
This meeting marked Prime Minister Modi's first face-to-face encounter with Yunus, who recently took charge as the leader of the interim government in Dhaka. His ascension followed a turbulent period marked by intense protests led by students and civilians, culminating in the ousting of the Awami League government. The political upheaval reached a peak when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India, leaving a power vacuum in Dhaka.
Similarly, Modi's engagement with Hlaing was significant as it was their inaugural meeting since the military junta carried out a coup in Myanmar. This upheaval resulted in the removal of the country’s once democratically-elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, further deepening the crisis that has gripped Myanmar in recent years.
“Met Mr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh. India remains committed to a constructive and people-centric relationship with Bangladesh. I reiterated India’s support for peace, stability, inclusivity and democracy in Bangladesh. Discussed measures to prevent illegal border crossings and expressed our serious concern for the safety and well-being of Hindus and other minorities,” Modi said in a social media post after the meeting.
বাংলাদেশের অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকারের প্রধান উপদেষ্টা জনাব মুহাম্মদ ইউনূসের সাথে সাক্ষাৎ করেছি। ভারত বাংলাদেশের সাথে একটি গঠনমূলক ও জনকেন্দ্রিক সম্পর্কের প্রতি প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
আমি বাংলাদেশে শান্তি, স্থিতিশীলতা, অন্তর্ভুক্তি ও গণতন্ত্রের প্রতি ভারতের সমর্থন পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছি।… pic.twitter.com/RVbR5WQ9nu
Calling for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive” Bangladesh, Modi expressed “India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism,” said a press statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
PM Modi told Yunus that any kind of “rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided”.
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What Did PM Modi And Bangaldesh Chief Adviser Yunus Discuss?
The bilateral meeting between Modi and Yunus took place within days of the Bangladeshi leader’s visit to China last month where he called on Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bangladesh had approached for a meeting with PM Modi last September also when both leaders visited the US for the UN General Assembly. But at that time the meeting could not take place due to scheduling issues.
“On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability. Bilateral mechanisms could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties,” said the MEA release.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval accompanied the PM along with other officials during the bilateral meeting.
Modi once again reiterated the need to safeguard the interests and ensure the security of the Hindus in Bangladesh to Yunus. The PM had made a similar appeal to him during their first phone-call in August last year.
“Prime Minister underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them,” said the MEA.
It added, “Prime Minister expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of their long standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.”
After over 40-minutes long meeting between both leaders, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Modi told Yunus that India intends to forge a “positive and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh.
"PM underlined (to Yunus) that India believes in a people-centric approach to the relationship (with Bangladesh) and highlighted the long cooperation between both the two countries that has delivered tangible benefits,” Misri said addressing reporters.
Misri said the PM underscored the need for the safety and security especially that of the Hindu community in that country.
Meanwhile, Yunus’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Islam told the media that the chief advisor did take up during the meeting the issue of extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since last August, to Bangladesh.
He also said Bangladesh raised the issue of “incendiary comments” being made by Hasina while she remains exiled in India. Besides, he said, both sides also discussed the controversial issue of sharing of water of the transboundary rivers such as the Teesta and the Ganges. The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh is due for renewal in 2026.
Yunus also gifted a photo to Modi that was shot in 2015 when the Indian PM had presented a gold medal to the Nobel Laureate at the 102nd Indian Science Congress.
Later in the day, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey also called on Yunus as Bangladesh is the next chair for BIMSTEC.
Rajiv Bhatia, veteran diplomat, told ABP Live: "Delighted and relieved that the meeting between PM Modi and CA M Yunus took place. Both bilateral and BIMSTEC-related issues were discussed. India's desire to follow a constructive approach towards Bangladesh, based on pragmatism, was stressed. New Delhi also looks forward to working with Bangladesh as the next Chair of the regional grouping. Had the meeting not taken place, it would have sent a highly negative signal, both for bilateral and regional cooperation."
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Modi Meets Myanmar Junta Leader First Time Post Coup
In yet another significant move, Modi met Myanmar’s Army Chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who was so far being isolated by the Southeast Asian countries and the world at large for his actions in February 2021 when a coup was carried out to oust the democratically elected leader there Aung San Suu Kyi.
This is the third such foreign trip by Min Aung Hlaing since the coup took place four years back. Before Thailand, he had visited China and Russia.
“Met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Once again expressed condolences on the loss of lives and damage of property in the wake of the recent earthquake. India is doing whatever is possible to assist our sisters and brothers of Myanmar in this critical time,” Modi said after his meeting with the junta leader.
He added: “We also discussed bilateral relations between India and Myanmar, particularly in sectors like connectivity, capacity building, infrastructure development and more.”
With reference to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar that commenced following the coup, Modi told the Myanmarese leader: “Political resolution to the conflict is the only way forward, starting with inclusive and credible elections. India will engage diverse stakeholders to support the process.”
Met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Once again expressed condolences on the loss of lives and damage of property in the wake of the recent earthquake. India is doing whatever is possible to assist our sisters and… pic.twitter.com/Hwwv4VxSpi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
An MEA readout said: “Prime Minister appreciated the support extended by Myanmar for the rescue and repatriation of Indian nationals from cyber-scam centres along the Myanmar–Thailand border. Both sides agreed on the need to cooperate in addressing insurgent activities, transnational crimes and human trafficking along the India-Myanmar border.”
India has been one of the first responders in the region to send humanitarian aid to Myanmar following the deadly earthquake there that took place late last month claiming over 2,000 lives while several remain injured and their livelihoods affected. India has commenced Operation Brahma to carry out the relief and rescue work in that country deploying over 200 personnel in that country.
"The two leaders also discussed the ongoing India-supported infrastructure development projects in Myanmar. Prime Minister underlined India’s readiness to support the developmental needs of all communities in Myanmar,” said the MEA.
Speaking about the meeting, Rajiv Bhatia, who is also a Distinguished Fellow at Gateway House, said: "The meeting with the Senior General of Myanmar went beyond humanitarian aid and disaster relief. India's call for restoration of democratic process, through inclusive and credible elections, is both well-calibrated and helpful. The need for dialogue and avoiding a military solutions was a piece of bold advice given to the strife-torn nation. It is to be hoped that all sides listed to our PM and act on his wise words."
India is keen on the completion of the Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project (KMMTP) and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway plan that have been going on for nearly two decades now.
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