On April 4, 2025, during the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, engaged in their first official meeting since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The discussions encompassed several critical issues, notably Dhaka’s request for Hasina’s extradition.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India in August 2024 amid mass protests that culminated in her resignation. Subsequently, the interim Bangladeshi government, led by Yunus, issued an arrest warrant against her on charges including “massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity.” Dhaka has formally sought her extradition to face these charges, but New Delhi has yet to respond to the request.
During the summit, Modi emphasized the importance of avoiding rhetoric that could further strain bilateral relations. He reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. Additionally, Modi expressed concerns regarding the treatment of minority communities in Bangladesh, urging thorough investigations into alleged atrocities committed against non-Muslims, including Hindus.
Yunus, in response, highlighted Hasina’s “false and inflammatory accusations” against the interim government and requested that India take appropriate measures to restrain her from making incendiary remarks while residing in India. He also conveyed Bangladesh’s desire to work collaboratively with India to realign their relationship for mutual benefit.
The meeting marks a tentative step toward stabilizing and rebuilding relations between the two neighboring countries, which share deep cultural ties and a 4,000 km border. Both leaders acknowledged the need for pragmatic cooperation to address ongoing challenges and improve bilateral ties.