Yunus Misses Opportunity for Meeting with Modi in Thailand

Diplomatic Desk

At the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Dr. Muhammad Yunus will not have the opportunity for a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that PM Modi will only hold talks with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

The ministry further clarified that on April 3, during the summit, Modi will meet with Thailand’s PM to review bilateral relations. This will be Modi’s sole bilateral engagement during his Thailand visit.

Although the Bangladeshi government formally requested a Modi-Yunus meeting, it will not materialize. Modi will visit Thailand on April 3 to attend the BIMSTEC summit and depart for Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 4. There, he will undertake an official visit from April 4-6 at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

While India has ruled out a formal meeting between Modi and Yunus, a Press Wing source claimed that a brief photo-op might occur—without any substantive discussion—marking their first interaction.

Notably, Dr. Yunus assumed power following the July-August pro-democracy movement and militant attacks that ousted the Awami League government. Despite nearly eight months in office, no formal meeting has taken place between Yunus and Modi, despite efforts at various international forums, including the UN Security Council annual meeting.

Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi has made it clear that India will only hold official bilateral talks with Bangladesh’s elected government, indicating no scope for engagement unless there is a change in administration.

On the other hand, Dr. Yunus’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told *The Hindu* that Yunus initially wanted to visit India as his first foreign trip but, receiving no response, is currently in China.

The fourth BIMSTEC Summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018, while the fifth took place virtually in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2022. The sixth summit in Bangkok will see Bangladesh assuming the BIMSTEC presidency.

Key discussion points at the summit include enhancing regional cooperation, trade expansion, investment linkages, strengthening security, and climate change. BIMSTEC members include Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Thailand.