In a moment of diplomatic significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus were seen seated together at an official dinner hosted by Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The high-profile gathering, held at Bangkok’s Hotel Shangri-La along the Chao Phraya River, took place on the eve of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, setting the stage for crucial discussions among regional leaders. Their presence at the dinner highlighted the growing engagement between BIMSTEC member nations as they seek to strengthen economic and strategic partnerships.
BIMSTEC Leaders meet for dinner in Bangkok ahead of the summit tomm; PM Modi, Bangladesh’s Yunus & Nepal PM Oli seated together. Thai PM says, thru BIMSTEC can address shared challenges, deal with food security. https://t.co/TV9jqSHiHX pic.twitter.com/gUlv2O6Ijf
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 3, 2025
PM Modi arrived in Thailand for a two-day visit focused on advancing cooperation among BIMSTEC’s seven member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Upon landing, he was welcomed by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, reflecting the significance of India’s role in the regional bloc.
Highlights from Bangkok…a vibrant welcome, community connect and the Ramayan! pic.twitter.com/cPyqQ1urVX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2025
New Delhi and Dhaka may be headed toward a diplomatic thaw as Bangladesh’s interim government signals a possible high-level meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Mohammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker administration. The meeting, if it materializes, will mark a significant shift in ties that have been strained since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
