Modi-Yunus Meet: It’s a Step Forward, But Miles to Go…

On April 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, at final sat all thru the table in Bangkok. After eight acrimonious months following Sheikh Hasina’s dramatic exit from energy—nearly to the day—it modified into once their first assembly.

And the 40-minute discuss on the Shangri-La hotel, held after the Sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit within the Thai capital, modified into once an spectacular-indispensable icebreaker. Both leaders introduced their concerns to the table—India terrorized about the pickle of Bangladesh’s minorities, and Bangladesh pushing for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition.

The assembly, expectedly, did no longer glean to the backside of every pickle. But the silver lining modified into once that it did level to each aspects wanted to preserve the dialog alive. That's a accept in itself after months of anxious silence and strained ties.

Modi spoke about India’s “folk-first” map, stressing how ties with Bangladesh be pleased helped each international locations grow. He did no longer fight panicked of elevating the pickle of safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh—an pickle that is conclude to the hearts of many in India, in particular these forced emigrate as a of political events since Partition in August 1947.

Modi urged Yunus to behave firmly against assaults on the minorities and compare the cases effectively. It is now clear that India is no longer allege with exact looking at from the sidelines; it wants Bangladesh to form up. Modi also made a subtle level: fiery words from both facet is no longer going to support. Mute heads, he perceived to be advising Yunus, were the need of the hour.

Yunus, on his part, perceived to achieve ready. He spoke of ‘exaggerated experiences’ of assaults on the minorities, and even invited Indian journalists to be taught about the problem for themselves. He assured Modi that his authorities modified into once cracking down on violence—whether spiritual, or gender-based. But he did no longer discontinuance there. Yunus pressed India on Hasina, who has been living on this nation ever since she fled Dhaka final August. Bangladesh wanted her support, he said, to face ‘justice’, in particular after a UN document blamed her for ordering deadly crackdowns on student protests. Yunus also flagged her social media jabs at his authorities, asking India to ‘rein her in’.

The extradition pickle did happen. But India is playing it icy for now. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the inquire modified into once on the table, however the indispensable capabilities were beneath wraps. Modi blamed social media for the mess over Hasina’s remarks that provoked Bangladesh’s elevate on the pickle—a easy dodge, most most seemingly, however it displays India is no longer fervent to escalate that fight, as a minimal no longer exact but.

There had been other sticky capabilities, too. Yunus raised the killing of Bangladeshis by the Indian border forces—a raw nerve for Dhaka. Modi defended India’s subtle border tips, asserting these were, indeed, indispensable for his nation’s security. Water did attain up, too. Yunus wants development on the Ganga and Teesta waters agreements—offers that had been stuck for years.

And Modi? He nudged Bangladesh toward elections, hinting that democracy indispensable extra than exact promises.

No big breakthroughs came out of this assembly. The differences—on Hasina, the minorities, the borders—are no longer going away in a single day. But that is no longer the level. What matters is that Modi and Yunus talked, face-to-face, and saved it civil. They be pleased home the stage for added chats, possibly thru the many bilateral channels that every countries be pleased. Yunus even handed Modi a advise from 2015, a nod to better days when Modi gave him a gold medal. It's a reminder: India and Bangladesh be pleased history to safeguard their relations, and it's miles price saving.

This assembly modified into once no longer about fixing everything in a single disappear. It modified into once about restarting a stalled friendship. Both leaders know their countries need one but some other—swap, security and regional stability are too big points to fail to recollect. Obvious, the facet toll road forward is bumpy. Hasina’s destiny, minority rights and border tensions may no longer be resolved simply. But, if Modi and Yunus preserve talking, there may be hope.

For now, this modified into once a handshake, no longer a hug. And, every so frequently, that is ample to preserve things shifting.

(The author Girish Linganna of this text is an award-winning Science Author and a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He's also Director of ADD Engineering Parts, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You shall be capable of attain him at: [email protected])