Bimstec meeting: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concern over terrorism, illegal drug trade, human system and related issues during the 20th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting on Thursday (April 03, 2025). Jaishankar emphasized the need to adopt a wider and more ambitious approach towards BIMSTEC to deal with these challenges in the world rapidly unstable.

He said, “There are also some problems of the real world, which we should solve. For this we have to recognize the severity of cyber security, anti-terrorism, human trafficking, illegal drug trade and other related activities. We need to make the necessary structures to deal with them effectively.”

‘Global system is going through a round of turmoil’

Jaishankar said that today the global system encourages countries to become more agenda-specific. उन्होंने कहा, “साथियों, आज हम बिम्सटेक के 28वें वर्ष में मिल रहे हैं. और हम ऐसा बहुत अनिश्चित और अस्थिर समय में कर रहे हैं, जब वैश्विक व्यवस्था खुद साप तौर से उथल-पुथल के दौर से गुजर रही है. इससे हमें बिम्सटेक को अधिक महत्वाकांक्षी दृष्टिकोण से देखने के लिए प्रोत्साहित होना चाहिए. नई व्यवस्था, जिसकी रूपरेखा अभी-अभी दिखाई देने लगी है, मूल रूप से अधिक क्षेत्रीय और एजेंडा-विशिष्ट Is.”

‘The direction of selected countries ends’

Jaishankar said that the era is now over when some selected countries used to direct the international system. He said, “The era when some powers used to control the international system, are now left behind. How we look at our possibilities depends on us to a large extent. It is better to work with each other instead of individually, as developing countries, who are facing many challenges.”

Also read: Jaishankar opened Pakistan’s poll, told the figure of violence on minorities, Shahbaz government

Muhammad Yunus News: Mohammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, has requested to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Bimstec Summit. However, India has not yet given any official response to this request.

In fact, the Prime Minister is expected to stay in Bangkok for the BIMSTEC summit from 2 to 4 April next month. Yunus is also participating in it and Bangladesh has officially demanded a meeting between the two leaders, but India has not yet confirmed the meeting. “We have made a diplomatic contact with India to hold a diplomatic meeting between the two leaders during the BIMSTEC Summit last week,” Mohammad Tauheed Hussain told reporters last week, “foreign affairs advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh.

Ministry of External Affairs statement
When asked about this, Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday (March 21, 2025), “I have no update to share at this time.” Relations between India and Bangladesh have been tense on many issues like attacks on minorities, border disputes, water distribution and trade agreement. At the same time, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while answering the questions asked on this issue in the meeting of the Parliamentary Counseling Committee said that the matter is still under consideration.

Attack on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh
Indian MPs have expressed concern about the attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. India has demanded proper action in these matters from Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh said that these attacks are inspired by politics and minorities are not being targeted.

India Bangladesh border dispute
There is tension on the border between the two countries. Illegal infiltration and border clashes are a matter of constant concern. India wants to take strict steps to maintain stability on the border.

Bimstec and regional cooperation
India wants to further strengthen Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), so that it proves to be a better option for SAARC. India is now giving priority to Bimstec due to Pakistan disrupting Saarc. Bangladesh plays an important role in this regional organization.

India’s response to Bangladesh’s request
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said in a meeting of the Parliamentary Counseling Committee, “Bangladesh’s request has not been confirmed yet. The matter is under consideration.” Jaishankar said that India will continue to discuss the Bangladesh government on other issues including safety of minorities. In fact, India is adopting a cautious attitude due to violence and political upheaval in Bangladesh last year.

BIMSTEC Summit and India Bangladesh Relations
India is developing Bimstec as a strong economic and strategic alliance between South Asia and Southeast Asia. This is moving towards becoming a more effective regional organization than SAARC. At the same time, after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government, there is political instability in Bangladesh. The interim government wants to strengthen its relations with India. Explain that India is in favor of strengthening stability and democracy in Bangladesh, but, India also wants to ensure that radical forces do not dominate Bangladesh.