• Modi and Yunus have met for the first time since Hasina was exported last year.
• PM reiterates democracy, stability, peace, and reaffirmation of Bangladesh.
• Yunus hopes to work with Modi to reset the tense connection.

Bangkok/New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister urged Bangladesh interim leaders to avoid rhetoric, which is damaging bilateral relations since Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first meeting on Friday.

Since fleeing the country last August, South Asian neighbors have deteriorated relations under Hasina, facing student-led protests and seeking asylum in India.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who took over as chief adviser to the Dhaka Interim Government after Hasina withdraws, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bimstec summit in Bangkok on Friday.

Prime Minister (Modi) urges […] India’s Foreign Minister Vikram Misri told reporters that it is best to avoid any resentment about the environment. ”

“(Modi) reaffirmed India’s support for democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” Misri said, adding that Indian leaders also stressed New Delhi’s desire for positive and constructive relations based on Bangladesh.

Bangladesh describes the 40-minute exchange between the two leaders as “candal, productive and constructive”.

Yunus told Modi that Bangladesh hopes to work with him to set relations on the right path to benefit both countries.

Public opinion in Bangladesh opposes India in part because of its decision to provide asylum to Hasina. New Delhi has not responded to Dhaka’s request to send her home for trial.

“Atrocities”

Misri said the two leaders discussed Bangladesh’s request for extradition without elaborating further.

“She has been making false and inflammation allegations against the Bangladesh Interim Government,” the statement from Bangladesh said.

Yunus asked New Delhi to take appropriate measures to limit Hasina’s incitement remarks when India stayed in India, the statement said.

Misri of India said Modi had asked Yunus to help maintain border security and stability and expressed hope that Bangladesh can thoroughly investigate all cases of “abuse” committed against people from minorities, including Hindus.

India has repeatedly urged Bangladesh to protect its minority of Hindus, saying they have been in Muslim majority countries since Yunus was in charge. Dhaka said the violence was exaggerated and was not a public issue.

“Hopefully this meeting will begin to rebuild some of the process of engagement,” said Harsh Pant, head of foreign policy at the Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation.

“I think at this point, stabilizing relationships should probably be a priority.”

With long-term cultural and commercial relations, the two countries have a 4,000 km (2,500 miles) border.

Modi and Yunus met at a summit in Bimstec or the Bay of Bangladesh Intersectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Initiative, which also includes Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.