The modi Yunus meeting on the sidelines of the bimstec summit in Bangkok is a great opportunity to improve the relations between both countries which has been strained since the overthrow of hasina government by an uprising supported by students and opposition parties which has also been accused of being promoted by the USA and statements by president trump has led credence to it. Yunus had during his recent Beijing visit made many unfavorable remarks about India which could have strategic implications especially for India’s northeast region. While the pm stressed on avoiding rhetoric and adopting a pragmatic approach in mutual relations he also raised concerns about the situation of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The issue is complex and serious and both parties need to be sensitive to each other’s perspectives. Bangladesh is geographically enveloped by India and needs to realize that its progress is entwined with India’s. China is beyond the Himalayas geographically as well as metaphorically. India also needs to realize that it cannot have a big brother attitude towards its neighbors and that its neighborhood both immediate and further is Muslim and its domestic anti Muslim rhetoric does not help. When the pm stressed on people centric relations with Bangladesh he must understand that India’s secular credential is its best pitch in its neighborhood. Bimstec has enormous potential in a multipolar and increasingly regionalizing world, and India Bangladesh relations are its best guarantors.
Bimstec is a good opportunity
