Dhaka seeks Hasina's extradition as Yunus, Modi discuss border, water issues in first-ever talks

Infograph: TBS

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday enquired about the status of Bangladesh's request for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangkok, Thailand.

Prof Yunus noted that Hasina has been making "inflammatory remarks" in various media outlets and attempting to destabilise the situation in Bangladesh. The chief adviser requested India to take appropriate measures to restrain Hasina from continuing to make "incendiary statements" while she remains in India.

A number of other issues, including water sharing of common rivers and border killings were also discussed at the much-anticipated bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Bimstec Summit.

"The 30-minute meeting was very constructive and fruitful as both leaders discussed all issues of mutual interest," UNB reports quoting Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, who briefed the media after the meeting.

This was the first-ever in-person meeting between the two South Asian leaders since the formation of Bangladesh's interim government 8 August, following the fall of the previous government three days earlier

Chief Adviser Yunus, who assumed the chairmanship of Bimstec, sought the support of India for a Free Trade Agreement among the seven members of the group.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prof Yunus on his assumption of the Bimstec chairmanship, and he greeted him on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, reports BSS.

The Indian premier said New Delhi has always attached the "highest priority" to its relationship with Dhaka and mentioned the global stature of Professor Yunus. He said India would always support a "progressive, democratic and inclusive" Bangladesh. He emphasised that India does not support any particular party in Bangladesh, stating, "Our relationship is people-to-people."

Responding to Modi's concern over the condition of minorities in Bangladesh, Chief Adviser Yunus said the reports of attacks on the minorities were hugely inflated and "the bulk of them were fake news".

He asked the Indian leader to send reporters to Bangladesh to investigate the alleged attacks themselves and said he has instituted an effective system for monitoring every incident of religious and gender violence in the country, and his government was taking serious actions to stop any occurrence of such incidents.

Regarding border killings, Prof Yunus stressed that working together to reduce the number of fatalities would not only save many families great anguish but would also help to build trust and confidence and to strengthen the relationship between India and Bangladesh.

Indian Prime Minister Modi said Indian border troops opened fire only in self-defence and the fatalities occurred in Indian territories. The two leaders stressed the need to work together on this issue.

Modi blamed social media for the tensions around Hasina's remarks. "India's attachment is with a country, not with any individuals or political organisations."

This was the first-ever in-person meeting between the two South Asian leaders since the formation of Bangladesh's interim government 8 August, following the fall of the previous government three days earlier.

Yunus presented a photograph to Modi during their bilateral meeting. The photo is about Modi presenting a gold medal to Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress that took place in Mumbai on 3 January 2015.

Public opinion in Bangladesh turned against India, in part, for its decision to provide sanctuary to Hasina. New Delhi has not responded to Dhaka's request to send her home for trial.

With longstanding cultural and business ties, the two nations share a 4,000km (2,500 mile) border. 

Indian statement

Following the meeting, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a press statement. It said Modi at the meeting underlined India's concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh. 

"Prime Minister [Modi] underlined India's concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them," Hindustan Times reports, quoting the statement. 

"Enunciating India's people-centric approach to the relationship, the prime minister highlighted that cooperation between the two countries has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries. He underlined India's desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism," says the statement.

The Indian premier stated that "rhetoric that vitiates the environment" is best avoided.

Bangladesh foreign adviser Md Tauhid Hossain, High Representative of Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, national security adviser Ajit Doval were among those present on the occasion.