Yunus, Modi to finally hold talks on Friday

Earlier, the two leaders exchanged greetings at the BIMSTEC dinner

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to hold their first bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok on Friday.

This will mark the first formal engagement between the two leaders since Bangladesh’s interim government took office.

Ahead of their scheduled talks, Yunus and Modi exchanged greetings at the summit dinner on Thursday.

“The two leaders met at the BIMSTEC summit dinner in Bangkok today and they exchanged greetings,” Shafiqul Alam, the chief advisor’s press secretary, told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

“Both leaders were seen talking closely for some time at the dinner.”

The BIMSTEC summit, which began on Wednesday, has drawn leaders from across South and Southeast Asia to discuss economic and strategic collaboration in the Bay of Bengal region.

Both Yunus and Modi are attending.

Yunus assumed leadership of Bangladesh’s interim government on Aug 8, 2024, three days after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure to India.

Despite prior opportunities for a bilateral meeting, this will be the first official engagement between the two leaders.