India is considering a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday, according to Indian media reports.
However, he did not confirm Modi’s visit to Bangkok during the April 2-4 BIMSTEC summit, stating that the premier “may make the trip,” reported Business Standard and Deccan Herald.
At the first meeting of this year’s Parliamentary Consultative Committee for External Affairs, Jaishankar briefed Indian lawmakers on New Delhi’s relations with neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh remained the primary topic of discussion, with most lawmakers actively engaging on the issue.
Several MPs expressed “concerns” about attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh—most of which are based on rumors—and questioned what measures India was taking in this regard, according to sources.
Indian media outlets reported that Jaishankar informed the committee members that the interim government in Dhaka claimed the attacks on Hindus were "politically motivated" rather than "minority-targeted."
He said the Indian government was engaging with the Prof Yunus-led interim government at various levels and had raised the issue.
Jaishankar also reportedly stated that SAARC remains inactive due to Pakistan’s stance, prompting India to focus on strengthening BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
Courtesy: Daily Sun
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
