Schedules don’t align; no meeting between Chief Adviser Yunus and Indian PM Modi at UNGA

There will be no meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, as the two leaders‍‍` schedules do not align.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and New Delhi confirmed to UNB that Modi is expected to leave the United States before Prof. Yunus arrives in New York. It seems there is no possibility as Modi is going there a bit early while Chief Adviser Yunus is going there a bit late, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said when asked about the likelihood of a meeting between the two leaders.

Modi embarked on a three-day visit to the United States on Saturday, where he will participate in the Quad Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in Wilmington and address the Summit of the Future at the UNGA in New York.

In a departure statement, Modi said, “I look forward to joining my colleagues President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese, and Prime Minister Kishida for the Quad Summit.”

Prof Yunus, set to arrive in New York later, has a series of high-profile meetings lined up. According to Foreign Adviser Hossain, the Chief Adviser will meet with leaders including the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal, as well as the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator.

The foreign adviser said many meeting decisions are made at the last minute during this time. “New meetings may be added to that consideration; again, due to lack of time, any meeting may be omitted.”

Discussions are underway for the Chief Adviser’s bilateral meetings with the President of the United States, the President of Italy, and the Crown Prince of Kuwait. 

Also, there is discussion that China’s Foreign Minister may meet the Chief Adviser.

 The Foreign Adviser, however, said he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will reach New York on September 23 and will leave New York for Dhaka on September 27, delivering his speech the same day.