Prime Minister Modi called for stronger ties with Bangladesh on the issue of violence against Hindus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus on the occasion of Bangladesh's National Day, stressing the need for strong bilateral ties and mutual sensitivity to each other's interests and concerns. The letter comes amid strained ties between the two countries, especially over the issue of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. Modi's letter highlights the historic ties and shared sacrifices of the Bangladesh Liberation War, calling for a partnership inspired by peace, stability and prosperity.
Key points of PM Modi's letter
Greetings and wishes: Modi greeted Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on Bangladesh's National Day, which marks the country's independence from Pakistan in 1971. He emphasised the shared history and sacrifices that have laid the foundation for the bilateral partnership.
Shared history and Liberation War: The Prime Minister referred to the spirit of the Bangladesh Liberation War, which he said continues to guide the relationship between the two countries. The reference is being seen as a subtle message to the interim government and a reminder of the historic support provided by India during Bangladesh's struggle for independence. Commitment to partnership: Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to furthering the partnership with Bangladesh, inspired by common aspirations for peace, stability and prosperity. He stressed the importance of mutual sensitivity to each other's interests and concerns. Multifaceted ties: The letter highlights the multifaceted nature of India-Bangladesh relations, which span diverse areas such as trade, multimodal connectivity, development partnership, power and energy, education, capacity building, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Strained ties and concerns: The letter comes at a time when ties between India and Bangladesh have become strained. The Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina, India's long-term ally, was toppled following a nationwide movement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has repeatedly condemned these attacks and urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its religious communities and institutions. Dhaka has said the violence was politically motivated and did not specifically target minority groups.
Engagement and diplomacy: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said India is in regular dialogue with the interim government and will continue to resolve such issues. The government is also considering Bangladesh's request for a bilateral meeting between Yunus and Modi at the upcoming BIMSTEC summit in Thailand.
Upcoming BIMSTEC summit
Bilateral meeting: The BIMSTEC summit to be held on April 3-4 in Bangkok will be the first face-to-face meeting between Modi and Yunus after they assumed office. While Bangladesh has sought a bilateral meeting, India has shown no commitment and said the request is under consideration. Strategic importance: Bangladesh is central to India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies, as well as its SAGAR doctrine and Indo-Pacific vision. The summit provides an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss existing tensions and potentially resolve them. Conclusion Prime Minister Modi's letter to Muhammad Yunus on Bangladesh's National Day underlines the importance of maintaining strong and sensitive bilateral relations. Despite the current tensions in the relationship, especially on the issue of violence against religious minorities, India remains committed to furthering the partnership with Bangladesh. The upcoming BIMSTEC Summit will be an important platform for the two leaders to interact and address mutual concerns.