Sunday , November 24 2024

BIMSTEC Summit: Will PM Modi and Muhammad Yunus meet? | News India

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After the coup in Bangladesh, the command of the country is now in the hands of Mohammad Yunus. PM Modi and Mohammad Yunus are going to meet amidst the ongoing violence in Bangladesh. It is believed that PM Modi and Nobel Prize winner Mohammad Yunus may meet at the BIMSTEC summit. The BIMSTEC summit is going to be held in Bangkok on 4 September. Bangladesh's interim chief Mohammad Yunus may represent Bangladesh. Meanwhile, he may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi will represent India in this summit.

PM Modi can raise the issue of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

Thailand is leading the BIMSTEC summit to be held next month. This multilateral organization comprising India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar has gained importance in recent years. One reason for this is the inactivity of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since 2016 due to India-Pakistan tensions. There are many issues to be discussed between India and Bangladesh. It is believed that PM Modi may raise the issue of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh in front of Mohammad Yunus, especially after the removal of Sheikh Hasina, a close relative of New Delhi.

What are the three major concerns for India?

There are three major concerns for India. First- China's growing steps towards South Asian countries. Second- the border with Bangladesh. And third- dealing with minority Hindus there. China has been trying to increase its influence in the Bay of Bengal for some time now. It already has ports in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. If Dhaka leans towards Beijing instead of New Delhi, it can create more problems for India. India considers it its sphere of influence. Another problem is of people fleeing the chaos in Bangladesh.

Hindus are the largest minority community in Bangladesh

As of Monday, India has arrested about a dozen Bangladeshis trying to cross the border. These people were trying to come to India to escape violence and political turmoil. Thousands of people are still pleading at the border to be allowed to enter India. New Delhi is also concerned about the persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Hindus are the largest minority community in Bangladesh. They are believed to have strong support for Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League. There have been several incidents of attacks on Hindu homes, temples and businesses after many fled the country and took refuge in India after Sheikh Hasina's sudden ouster from power.