India Awaits Decision On Yunus-Modi Meeting Request At UN General Assembly

The Indian government has not yet made a decision on Bangladesh's request for a meeting between its interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Muhammad Yunus, who assumed leadership of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8, spoke to Prime Minister Modi over the phone on August 16.

Photo Credit: PTI

However, a formal request for a meeting during the UNGA session has been made by Bangladesh, with India yet to confirm or decline the request. The final agenda for Modi's bilateral meetings in New York is still being prepared, sources said.

Remarks Spark Concerns in Delhi

The prospects of a Yunus-Modi meeting have been clouded by comments Yunus made during an interview with an Indian media outlet earlier this week. In the interview, Yunus criticized former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in exile in India. He suggested that Bangladesh could seek her extradition and called for India to reconsider the perception that political parties other than Hasina's Awami League are "Islamist."

Yunus's remarks have not been well-received in New Delhi, according to the sources. He further claimed that Hasina, while residing in India, has been actively commenting on developments in Bangladesh, which he said was inappropriate. "If India wants to keep her until Bangladesh wants her back, the condition would be that she should remain silent. Sitting in India and giving instructions is not beneficial for either country," Yunus said in the interview.

India's Position on Hasina

India has yet to publicly respond to Yunus's comments. However, Indian officials have stated that Hasina was permitted to enter India after she stepped down from power on August 5, and the Indian government has declined to comment on the possibility of an extradition request from Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs called such a situation hypothetical and refrained from further discussion.

Previous Conversations Between Modi and Yunus

During their phone call on August 16, Prime Minister Modi urged Yunus to ensure the protection of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, following reports of attacks on these communities after the ousting of the previous government. Yunus assured Modi that safeguarding minority groups would be a priority for his interim administration, while also downplaying the scale of such attacks as reported by Indian media, calling them "exaggerated."

The two leaders discussed furthering bilateral relations in line with national priorities, but concerns have emerged over the interim government's control of the situation. Sources suggest that factions within Bangladesh's caretaker government may be working at cross-purposes, complicating the political landscape.

As both leaders prepare for their presence at the UN General Assembly, it remains unclear whether a face-to-face meeting will take place.