In letter to Yunus, PM Modi calls for stronger ties with Bangladesh amid strain in relations over violence against Hindus.
Violence against minorities in Bangladesh has been a key point of contention in recent months. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that between August 2024 and February 2025, over 2,374 incidents of violence against minorities were reported in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the shared history between Delhi and Dhaka, calling on Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus to strengthen bilateral relations based on mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns. Modi’s outreach comes as tensions have arisen following violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh under Yunus’s interim government after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has repeatedly condemned the attacks on Hindu minorities and urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its religious communities and institutions. In a message to Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of their National Day on March 26, Modi highlighted the historical ties between the two nations, referencing the Bangladesh Liberation War.
“This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices, that have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership,” Modi wrote. “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 peoples.”
Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing the partnership with Bangladesh, stressing the importance of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. “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 added.
Violence against minorities in Bangladesh has been a key point of contention in recent months. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that between August 2024 and February 2025, over 2,374 incidents of violence against minorities were reported in Bangladesh, though authorities verified only 1,254 of these cases. According to Jaiswal, 98 per cent of the incidents were classified as “political in nature,” but he stressed that India expects Bangladesh to conduct thorough investigations and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of the political context.
Jaiswal also expressed concern about the release of extremists convicted of violent crimes, suggesting it has further destabilized the situation in Bangladesh.
As India continues to engage with the interim government on the protection of minorities, it remains unclear whether Modi will meet Yunus at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had told a Parliamentary panel last week. He also conveyed that while members of Parliament had raised concerns about the violence against Hindus, Dhaka has maintained that the attacks were politically motivated and not specifically aimed at minority groups.
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