India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to meet with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Touhid Hossain, next week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This meeting comes in the wake of political upheaval in Bangladesh, where the Sheikh Hasina government has been ousted amidst violent protests.
Jaishankar aims to express India's hope for a swift restoration of peace in Bangladesh and address concerns regarding the safety of the Hindu minority there. He is also likely to seek to ease any existing tensions between the two countries, reaffirming India’s commitment to a democratic and stable Bangladesh.
If this meeting occurs, it will mark the first high-level engagement between India and Bangladesh's interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate who took on this role following Hasina's departure. While a potential meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yunus has been mentioned, it seems unlikely due to scheduling conflicts.
Modi is set to arrive in the U.S. on Saturday to participate in the Quad leaders summit hosted by outgoing President Joe Biden in Delaware. He will remain in the U.S. until September 23, when he will address the UN Summit of the Future before returning to India.
Jaishankar's visit will also include delivering India's national statement at the UNGA on September 28, during which he is anticipated to meet with Hossain.
The discussions may revolve significantly around Sheikh Hasina, as Dhaka is reportedly keen on her extradition. However, procedural complexities have delayed any official request to New Delhi.
Political dynamics within Bangladesh complicate Hasina's extradition, and her prolonged stay in India might not facilitate a smoother relationship between India and Dhaka.
Tensions have escalated between the interim government and India, attributed to what India has deemed "unhelpful" comments from some members of Yunus’s administration. The Chief Advisor has previously stated that reports of minority attacks have been exaggerated and urged India to reconsider its narrative about Bangladesh's political landscape.
Additionally, India remains cautious about the interim government's outreach towards Pakistan, as Hossain has indicated a desire to foster a normal relationship with Islamabad. Reports suggest Yunus may engage in talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the UNGA, and he has expressed interest in reviving the SAARC initiative, which has stalled due to India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism.
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