Modi Attends BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok Amid Speculation of Regional Meetings

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew to Bangkok on Thursday to attend a regional summit and hold talks with his Thai counterpart. He made no mention of a widely speculated meeting with Bangladesh’s leader, Muhammad Yunus.

Modi stated that he would meet with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and participate in the BIMSTEC summit, which brings together seven nations bordering the Bay of Bengal. Top representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are expected to attend.

Bangladeshi media have widely speculated that Modi and Yunus will meet in an attempt to ease tensions between their governments. Relations between India and Bangladesh have soured since the ousting of India’s longtime ally Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Hasina was removed by a student-led uprising and later fled to New Delhi.

India was the biggest benefactor of Hasina’s government, and her overthrow has strained bilateral ties. Hasina remains in India and has defied extradition requests from Bangladesh, where she faces charges including mass murder.

Yunus had sought a meeting with Modi in an effort to reset relations, with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stating that the request was “under review.” However, no confirmation has been given.

Nepali media have reported that Modi is also expected to meet with Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, marking their first meeting since Oli returned to power last year. India has not confirmed this meeting either.

Following the summit, Modi will travel to Sri Lanka for talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as Colombo navigates the competing interests of India and China. Sri Lanka’s presidential office has noted that Modi will be the first foreign head of government to visit the country under the new administration. Dissanayake’s first foreign visit after his election last year was to New Delhi.