Modi asks Yunus to ensure safety of Hindus, urges avoiding rhetoric that vitiates environment

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (4 April) underlined India's concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh, during a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Bimstec Summit in Thailand, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has said.

"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," reads a press statement issued by the ministry after the meeting.

Modi also reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.

"Enunciating India's people-centric approach to the relationship, 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.

"On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability. Bilateral mechanism could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties," reads the press statement.

Modi also congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the chair of Bimstec and looked forward to the forum further advancing regional cooperation under its leadership. "The leaders agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the Bimstec framework."

Furthermore, he expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of their long-standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

Yunus took charge of Bangladesh in August 2024 after India's old ally Sheikh Hasina was toppled as prime minister by a student-led uprising and fled by helicopter to  India.

Hasina's ouster from power was followed by reports of widespread attacks on minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh.

On Thursday, the Centre told Parliament that over 2,400 minority-related incidents in Bangladesh have been reported from 5 August 2024 till 23 March, and it is expected that the neighbouring country will "thoroughly investigate" these cases and bring all perpetrators to justice without justifying any of these as "politically motivated".

According to a PTI report, the MEA was asked whether the government of India has taken cognisance of human rights violations of Hindus in Bangladesh.

"Government of India has taken note of incidents of human rights violations of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and raised the issue with the Government of Bangladesh on various occasions. On 10 December 2024, the Government of Bangladesh announced in a press briefing that 70 people had been arrested in 88 cases related to attacks against minorities in Bangladesh; subsequent police investigations in January 2025 had verified only 1,254 incidents," Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha.

Singh said according to updated information, "over 2,400 minority-related incidents have been reported from 5 August 2024 till 23 March 23, 2025".

"It is expected that Bangladesh will thoroughly investigate these incidents and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson and violence against minorities to justice without justifying any of these killings or arson as politically motivated," the MoS said.