Chief Advisor meets five heads of state in a day

At the second day of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, engaged in key bilateral meetings with five heads of state.

On Friday, April 4th, following the conclusion of the summit, Dr. Yunus met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, focusing on strengthening the relationship between Bangladesh and India. Modi expressed India's commitment to a constructive, people-centered relationship with Bangladesh.

Subsequently, Dr. Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. During the meeting, Prime Minister Prayut congratulated Bangladesh on its selection as the chair of BIMSTEC for the next two years and pledged cooperation in their respective developmental goals.

Later, Dr. Yunus met with Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. The two leaders emphasized mutual support in regional development, reiterating the importance of cooperation between their nations.

In the afternoon, Dr. Yunus also held a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, where the two leaders discussed economic cooperation and mutual support for each other’s development goals.

Dr. Yunus later had an informal discussion with Myanmar’s head of government at the hotel lobby, where they touched upon a variety of issues.

Following the meeting with Dr. Yunus, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media, posting: "I met with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. India remains committed to a constructive and people-centric relationship with Bangladesh." Modi also reiterated India's support for peace, stability, inclusivity, and democracy in Bangladesh. He mentioned that discussions included measures to prevent illegal border crossings and highlighted serious concerns about the safety and welfare of Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh.

Established in 1997, BIMSTEC is an important regional cooperation platform that focuses on areas like trade, technology, transportation, energy, and counterterrorism. With its growing influence, BIMSTEC has become a key inter-regional organization, fostering collaboration among countries in the Bay of Bengal region.