Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have finally held bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, ending much speculation and uncertainty.
This is the first-ever meeting between the two leaders since the formation of the Yunus-led interim government after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League administration in August last year amid an uprising.
As there has been strain in the bilateral relations for over eight months, such as the Indian government restricting visas for Bangladeshis, the meeting has drawn massive attention from the Indian media as well.
The Hindu
One of the most influential and oldest English dailies in India has maintained the news item as its lead online for at least several hours under the headline, “Avoid rhetoric that vitiates constructive relationship, urges PM Modi during talks with Bangladesh’s Yunus.”
It mentioned that Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus spoke about Sheikh Hasina, the Ganges, and the Teesta Water Treaty, among other topics, during the 40-minute meeting.
Hindustan Times
This English daily also featured the news item on the Yunus-Modi meeting at the top of its website under the headline, “In meeting with Yunus, PM Modi raises concerns over safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.”
Quoting the Ministry of External Affairs, the newspaper said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underlined India’s concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh.
Yunus took charge of Bangladesh in August 2024 after India’s long-time ally Sheikh Hasina was toppled as prime minister by a student-led uprising and fled by helicopter to India, it added.
India Today
The oldest English daily published the news item titled “Avoid rhetoric that vitiates environment, ensure safety of Hindus: PM to Yunus.”
It begins the story by stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cautioned Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus against rhetoric that could strain bilateral ties and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.
During their interaction, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He underscored India’s people-centric approach to its relationship with Bangladesh, emphasising that cooperation between the two nations has delivered tangible benefits to their people, it added.
The Indian Express
The news, headlined “PM Modi meets Bangladesh Chief Adviser Yunus, raises India’s concerns over safety of Hindus,” has been featured as the top item on its website.
The story mentioned that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were also present during the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok on Friday and conveyed India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, and inclusive Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
In their first meeting since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, Modi also underlined India’s desire to forge a positive, constructive relationship with Bangladesh, Misri added.
According to Misri, Modi also underlined India’s concerns regarding the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and urged Yunus to ensure the protection of minorities and investigate atrocities.
NDTV
The leading television station in India has published the news headline, “Any rhetoric…”: PM’s Message to Bangladesh Leader After Northeast Remark on its online platform.
The news reads, “Relations between Delhi and Dhaka have taken a frosty turn since the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government was overthrown following a nationwide movement.”