Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday iterated India`s support for a "democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive" Bangladesh during his first-ever bilateral meeting with Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

"Prime Minister Modi urged that rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided," Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters while briefing after the meeting.

Modi expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of their long-standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

The Indian Prime Minister underlined that India believes in people-centric approach in a relationship and highlighted the cooperation between the two countries for a long period of time that delivered tangible benefits to people on both sides.

He underlined India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism.

On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability, according to the readout issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

"Bilateral mechanism could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties," Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them.

He congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the Chair of BIMSTEC and looked forward to the forum further advancing regional cooperation under its leadership.

The leaders agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.

Chief Adviser Dr Yunus presented a photograph to Prime Minister Modi during their bilateral meeting.

The photo is about Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting a gold medal to Dr Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress that took place in Mumbai on January 3, 2015.

The bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit is viewed as the most significant development in Dhaka-Delhi relations since the July Uprising in Bangladesh.

This was the first-ever in-person meeting between the two South Asian leaders since the formation of Bangladesh`s interim government last August 8, following the fall of the previous government three days earlier.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Representative to Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed, CA`s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim, among others, were present at the meeting, Chief Adviser`s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.

This is the biggest India-Bangladesh diplomatic development since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, and subsequent flight to Delhi (where she remains), observers say.

Earlier, Bangladesh approached India through the diplomatic channel to arrange a meeting between Dr Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the Summit.

In his pre-departure statement from India, Modi said he will meet the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries to discuss ways for strengthening collaboration, keeping the interests of people in mind.

"I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with the interests of our people in mind," Modi said as he began his visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Source: UNB