Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Ten years ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood on the grand stage of the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Mumbai University, garlanding Professor Muhammad Yunus with a gold medal alongside other Nobel Laureates.
In his speech, Modi lauded the Nobel Peace Prize winners including Dr Yunus, saying: “We have here with us Nobel Laureates whose work in science has given new hope against dreaded diseases.
We also have one whose own understanding of social science gives the poorest a life of hope, opportunity and dignity.”
At that time, no one could have imagined that a decade later, this moment — captured in a single photograph — would be returned to Modi himself by Yunus during a formal bilateral meeting.
But that is exactly what happened on Friday, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, where Prof Yunus, now the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, handed over the framed photograph as a “throwback gift” — a gentle but pointed reminder of the respect Modi once showed him, and a nudge not to forget that honor now as Yunus assumes a more active leadership role in Bangladesh’s future.
The photograph — taken on January 3, 2015 — is more than a nostalgic token.
It is now being seen as a ‘photo diplomacy’ to rekindle the rapport between the two countries, aiming to mend the fractures that emerged following the fall of the previous Bangladeshi government led by Sheikh Hasina, who had long enjoyed the backing of Delhi.
Even Yunus after taking office wanted to take at least photo with the SAARC leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York last year as this regional organisation is virtually defunct for many years. But the photo session did not take place.
Meanwhile, during the bilateral meeting with Modi in Bangkok, Yunus raised a number of critical issues between the two countries while presenting the symbolic gift.
These included the extradition of Sheikh Hasina—who currently faces multiple criminal charges, including culpable homicide—the continued killings of Bangladeshi nationals along the border, the long-pending Teesta water-sharing agreement, and the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.
Prime Minister Modi assured that India remains committed to engaging constructively with Bangladesh to address and resolve these matters through bilateral discussions.
When Prime Minister Modi expressed concerns over rising extremism and the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, Dr. Yunus welcomed the Indian side to verify the ground reality.
At the same time, he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all its citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic identity.
In response to speculation that India supports a particular political party in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Modi firmly stated that India has no political bias.
“India’s relationship is people-to-people,” he said.
He reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, the Yunus-led administration has sought to rebuild the relationship with India based on genuine people-to-people connections.
However, over the past eight months, India had shown a little willingness to recalibrate its stance, appearing to remain closely aligned with Sheikh Hasina.
Modi’s latest statements, however, indicate a potential shift in India’s approach—suggesting a renewed desire to build bilateral relations centered on national interests rather than individual affiliations.
If India truly intends to honour this principle, it will need to respond to the formal extradition request for Sheikh Hasina, which was submitted by Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry several months ago.
The people of Bangladesh now watch closely to see whether India will act on its declared intention of fostering ties with the country as a whole, or continue to prioritise its past allegiance to a single political figure.
Water sharing also featured prominently in the Yunus-Modi discussions.
The Teesta River remains a major concern for Bangladesh, as it serves as the lifeline for the northern region During Dr Yunus’s recent visit to China, he discussed the Teesta issue with President Xi Jinping and invited Chinese firms to participate in a project aimed at sustainable management of the river.
In addition, he sought Chinese support for a comprehensive 50-year master plan for Bangladesh’s rivers.
India’s response to these developments will be a test of its commitment to resolving regional issues bilaterally, as Modi himself stated.
Another long-standing issue that continues to strain ties is the killing of Bangladeshi nationals by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).
Despite repeated assurances from Indian authorities to bring border killings down to zero, the practice has not ceased.
In many reported incidents, BSF has opened fire on unarmed Bangladeshi civilians who had no connection to smuggling or cross-border crime.
India must now reflect seriously on how it intends to address this matter and work with Bangladesh to put an end to these tragic incidents.
Continued justification of such killings under the pretext of stopping smuggling only erodes trust.
Prime Minister Modi said, “Our relationship is people-to-people. India’s attachment is with a country, not with any individuals or political organizations.”
This statement signals a potentially significant shift in tone from New Delhi, raising hopes that both countries will move forward in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.
For Dr Yunus, the photograph he gifted served its diplomatic purpose—a gentle but firm reminder that statecraft is not solely about agreements and formalities.
It is also about respect, historical memory, and the duty of leaders to uphold past commitments while building a just and forward-looking future.
