Meeting between Modi, Yunus ruled out on BIMSTEC Sidelines

New Delhi: There is no sign of normalisation of bilateral relations between India and new regime of Bangladesh as South block has so far not agreed for a bilateral meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of BIMSTEC Summit scheduled to be held at Bangkok from 2nd April to 4th April this year.

Sources said that both Prime Minister Modi and Mohammad Yunus are attending the Summit along with other heads of state and Government of the seven nation grouping.

Dhaka was very keen to have a meeting with PM Modi to chalk out future course of relationship. It is learnt that India is not very keen to give legitimacy to an un- elected government.

Once Midi meets the head of Bangladesh government, it gets automatic recognition of the present regime.

People in the know of things did not rule out a chance courtsey meeting between
The two but a formal sit down meeting is ruled out.

In Bangkok summit, one of the major issues would be Islamic radicalisation, and in Bangladesh those forces are seen roaming freely, which was articulated by US National Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard during her visit to India.

India is impressing upon the proposed summit Declaration
to flag issues of global terror and Islamic fundamentalism as major threats .People who know about the developments say Dhaka wants a softer approach on this issue.

The upcoming summit seeks to strengthen regional collaboration among the seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, representing South and Southeast Asia.

Key outcomes of the summit are likely to include the adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, the Report of the Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC, and the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration.

The BIMSTEC region encompasses over 1.7 billion people and has a combined GDP of USD 4.7 trillio

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1947, and both sides celebrated the 75th anniversary of this establishment in 2022.

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) pursues cooperation among its member states across seven priority areas, namely Security, including Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Disaster Management and Energy; Trade and Economic Development; Transport Connectivity; Agriculture and Food Security; Science, Technology & Innovation; Environment and Climate Change; and People-to-People Relations.
BIMSTEC serves as a vehicle for regional engagement for an open, peaceful, prosperous and resilient Bay of Bengal region.
The efforts in this regard have strengthened cooperation among member states in the areas of disaster management, maritime security, dealing with challenges of terrorism, drug and human trafficking, cybercrimes, climate change, energy security, food security, increased intra-regional trade and investment, technology and innovation, increased people to people contacts through youth exchanges and cultural exchanges as well as institution building and capacity building, according to the MEA.

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