Bangladesh requests India for Yunus-Modi meeting during UNGA; India has not yet decided on Bangladesh’s request

Bangladesh has requested a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and interim government head Muhammad Yunus, who will be in New York for the UN General Assembly later this month. However, the Indian side has not yet decided on the request, as Yunus's comments in an interview with an Indian media outlet were not well received in New Delhi. Yunus criticized former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for commenting on Bangladesh's affairs while in exile in India, stating that ""If India wishes to retain her until Bangladesh requests her return, the condition should be that she remains silent”. “Her comments and instructions from India are unwelcome and detrimental to both Bangladesh and India.” He also urged India to move beyond the ""narrative"" that every political party other than Hasina's Awami League is ""Islamist"". No response has been received from the Indian side to Yunus's remarks, but sources said such comments were not conducive to better relations. India's leadership has said Hasina was approved to come to the country at short notice after she stepped down on August 5. At the time, Modi urged Yunus to ensure the protection of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh following attacks after the ouster of the previous government. Yunus had said Bangladesh will give priority to the security of all minorities. During their phone conversation, the two leaders also discussed ways to take forward bilateral relations in line with national priorities.