Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim government head, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, are both expected to attend the upcoming BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand, next month.
While the possibility of their paths crossing has led to talks about a formal meeting, it appears increasingly unlikely that any such event will take place, according to officials familiar with the matter.
This was reported by Hindustan Times on Thursday, March 20.
The summit, scheduled for April 3 and 4, is set to bring together leaders from the seven BIMSTEC countries, including Bangladesh and India.
While Modi and Dr. Yunus will both be in attendance, the strained relations between the two countries have cast doubt on the possibility of a high-level discussion between the two leaders.
Tawhid Hossain, Bangladesh`s Foreign Affairs Advisor, revealed that he had sent a letter to India, formally requesting a meeting between Modi and Yunus on the sidelines of the summit.
Although the letter was sent, officials believe that the current climate between the two nations does not favor such a meeting.
Three individuals with knowledge of the situation spoke to Hindustan Times, with one explaining,
"Given the current relationship between Bangladesh and India, there is no real scope for a formal meeting between the two leaders at the summit."
Another source suggested that while both leaders may exchange words in passing during the various summit engagements, a formal sit-down is highly unlikely.
"There could be some small talk when they cross paths, but not much more than that," the source said.
The ongoing strain between Dhaka and New Delhi has been compounded by critical remarks from advisors within Bangladesh`s interim government.
"It`s difficult to arrange any formal meeting at this time, especially when we`re hearing regular criticism of India from Dhaka," a source added.
The BIMSTEC summit brings together seven countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—to promote regional cooperation.
However, the diplomatic tension between Bangladesh and India is expected to affect any potential high-level discussions at the event.
With growing speculation surrounding the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders, it remains clear that current circumstances make such a prospect unlikely.
While there may be brief interactions during the summit, the prospect of a significant diplomatic discussion appears out of reach for now.
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