Indian and Bangladeshi leaders have committed to cooperation in their first meeting since the change of government in Dhaka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief adviser of the interim Bangladeshi government, Muhammad Yunus, have committed to "constructive" cooperation as they held a bilateral meeting for the first time since the change of government in Dhaka. Ties between the two South Asian neighbours have been tense since former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinawas forced to resignin August last year, following mass protests.

During their meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the sixth BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in Bangkok, Modi conveyed India's "desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism." He highlighted, however, that "rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided," the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the talks.

Modi also noted areas of concern such as illegal border crossings and minority rights, reiterating India's concerns over the "safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus."

The readout shared by Dhaka noted that the exchange between the leaders was "candid, productive, and constructive." "Bangladesh deeply values its relationship with India," said Yunus, according to a statement published on the adviser's official Facebook page. He highlighted "the deep-rooted friendship between our two countries is founded on intertwined histories, geographical proximity, and cultural affinity."

Yunus presented Modi with a photograph of their previous meeting in January 2015.

Yunus enquired with Modi about the status of Bangladesh's request for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, Dhaka's readout said. The interim government has been seeking Hasina's extradition to face trial in criminal cases that were filed against her and members of her former government, with allegations including murder, torture, abduction, crimes against humanity, and genocide. New Delhi has not publicly commented on the request.

In their meeting on Friday, Yunus reiterated his claim that Hasina has been making "inflammatory remarks" in the media and has been "attempting to destabilise the situation in Bangladesh."

Tensions between the two nations have been strained ever since Hasina's government was ousted and she fled to India. Last week, tensions were further exacerbated afterYunus pitchedBangladesh as a prospective trade and logistics partner to China, claiming the country is "the only guardian" of the Bay of Bengal. The remark was criticized in India.

"We, after all, have the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, of almost 6,500km. India shares borders not only with the five BIMSTEC members, and connects most of them, but also provides much of the interface between the Indian sub-continent and ASEAN," Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said at the BIMSTEC summit on Thursday.

During Yunus' recent visit to China and his meeting with President Xi Jinping, Dhaka and Beijing signed a deal that aims to modernize the port of Mongla, Bangladesh's second largest seaport. Notably, in July 2024, a month before Hasina was forced to resign, India secured the operational rights to a terminal at Mongla.

Bangladeshi daily the Business Standard in February reported that the Mongla port modernization project is expected to be completed by December 2028, with a total cost of $33 million, which would involve a $29 million loan from China. The report did not mention India, making it unclear if New Delhi is still part of the project.

(RT.com)