Amid the chill in Delhi-Dhaka ties over violence against minorities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Bangladesh Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus on March 26, the country’s National Day, and called for taking forward bilateral ties based on sensitivity to each others’ concerns. Greeting the people of Bangladesh, Modi wrote: “This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership. The spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh continues to remain a guiding light for our relationship, which has flourished across multiple domains, bringing tangible benefits to our people.” “We remain committed to advancing this partnership, driven by our common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity, and based on mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns,” he said in his note sent Wednesday. India’s relations with Bangladesh have taken a hit after violence against Hindu minorities under the Yunus-led interim government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August last year. The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly condemned the violence while urging Bangladesh to protect them and religious institutions. Modi’s outreach comes after the Bangladesh interim government sought a meeting between Yunus and the Indian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit, to be held early April in Bangkok. The meeting is not confirmed yet, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had told a consultative panel of MPs last week. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that over 2,374 incidents of violence against minorities were reported in the neighbouring country between August 5, 2024, and February 16, 2025, but police verified only 1,254 of them. It said Dhaka had deemed 98% of these incidents “political in nature”. In August last year, Modi and Yunus spoke over the phone for the first time in the backdrop of the dramatic removal of Hasina and the subsequent internal political turbulence. The two leaders discussed the safety of minorities during the call. Modi then had posted on X: “Received a telephone call from Professor Muhammad Yunus. Exchanged views on the prevailing situation. Reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He assured the protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh.”
