Fri Apr 04 11:47:08 UTC 2025: ## Modi Seeks to Mend Ties with Bangladesh After Hasina’s Ouster
**Bangkok, Thailand** – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, on Friday on the sidelines of a regional summit in an attempt to repair strained relations following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, a long-time Indian ally. The meeting marked the first encounter between the two leaders since a student-led uprising eight months ago toppled Hasina’s government.
While photos depicted a cordial meeting, including smiles and handshakes, the underlying tensions were evident. Modi reiterated India’s desire for a “positive and constructive relationship” with Bangladesh, based on pragmatism, but also voiced concerns about alleged human rights abuses against minorities in Bangladesh. Yunus, meanwhile, raised Dhaka’s concerns about Hasina’s continued presence in India, where she has defied extradition requests to face charges related to the deaths of protesters during the upheaval.
India’s foreign ministry secretary, Vikram Misri, confirmed that the extradition issue was discussed, but offered no further details. The meeting comes amid a period of increased diplomatic distance between the two nations, with Bangladesh moving closer to Pakistan and Yunus making his first state visit to China after assuming his caretaker role.
Experts suggest that stabilizing the relationship is currently the priority. Harsh Pant, foreign policy head at the Observer Research Foundation, expressed hope that the Modi-Yunus meeting would initiate a process of rebuilding engagement between the historically close neighbours. Public opinion in Bangladesh has soured on India partly due to its decision to offer Hasina refuge. The future trajectory of the relationship remains uncertain, hinged on navigating complex issues of human rights, extradition, and shifting geopolitical alliances.
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