PM Modi extended greetings to Bangladesh on its National Day, emphasising shared history and mutual sensitivity in ties. Ahead of the BIMSTEC summit, Dhaka seeks a bilateral meeting, however, India has not yet confirmed.
Photo : PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended greetings to Bangladesh on its National Day. He stressed the need for mutual sensitivity in strengthening bilateral relations. In a letter to Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, PM Modi highlighted the “shared history and sacrifices” that have shaped the partnership between the two nations.
“The national day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership,” the Prime Minister said. He added that the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War continues to guide the relationship, which has expanded across multiple sectors, yielding tangible benefits for both nations.
PM Modi’s message comes just days before his meeting with Yunus at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok on April 3-4. This will be their first face-to-face interaction since Yunus took charge as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a long-time ally of India.
While Dhaka has requested a bilateral meeting, New Delhi has not confirmed any such engagement. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar previously informed a parliamentary panel that the request was under consideration. Government sources have indicated that Modi’s bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit will be announced later.
India has been cautious in its approach, particularly in light of Dhaka’s stance on sensitive issues, including the protection of minorities and Hasina’s political future.
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her wishes to her Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammed Shahabuddin, reaffirming India’s commitment to a “democratic, stable, inclusive, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh.”