There was a cinematic pendulum shift at Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus attended an official dinner reception by Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Hostile Bilateral Relations Schedule

Diplomatic tension increased after the removal of then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, and India's decision to shift its capital in a bid to provide her with asylum. Tension emanating after hearing about atrocities being perpetrated on minority Hindus in Bangladesh has also contributed to diplomatic tension.

Bangladesh's Request for Bilateral Meeting

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary. Jashim Uddin emphasized the urgency for the meeting, saying, "From our side, we are ready to have the meeting. Now we are waiting for a positive response from India." He conceded general tension in ties but was certain that bilateral negotiations would narrow down differences.

India's Role and Time Constraints

Thai schedule of Prime Minister Modi had already been finalized, but nothing regarding the much-awaited meeting with Yunus. Physical presence of the two leaders at the official dinner, however, has kept alive the speculation regarding informal meetings.

Controversial Remarks on India's Northeast

This complication had now been added by Adviser Yunus's recent visit to China where he had publicly articulated the argument that India's northeastern provinces which were landlocked would prosper economically if they were connected by Bangladesh and China. The statement had been perceived to complicate the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Regional Consequences and Analysts' Perception

The BIMSTEC Summit provides a strong regional platform of discussion to the seven bloc members viz. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The regional observers are watching the discussion between Modi and Yunus because of the backdrop of South Asian diplomacy and economic cooperation.

Experts believe that there are no talks on the table officially but at least there can be sitting informally in line of leadership, and this can throw open the gates for diplomatic talks on the table.

India-Bangladesh Relations Prospects

As long as the BIMSTEC Summit assures, the rest of the world holds its bated breath for some new twist in Indo-Bangladesh relations. All one wishes is that even during moments of greatest adversity, the two nations are on the same side of the table and resolve issues of mutual concern as well as further enhance their tried and tested relationship.

The subsequent days would ascertain whether the cordiality of exchanges between Adviser Yunus and Prime Minister Modi at the BIMSTEC dinner would be converted into successful harmonizations and negotiations between the two contiguous nations.