Considering B'desh request for PM-Yunus meet: EAM

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's request for a meeting between its interim govt's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and PM Narendra Modi at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit is under consideration, external affairs minister S Jaishankar told a parliamentary panel meeting here.

"At this year's first meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee for external affairs on Saturday, several MPs raised concerns on attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, asking what steps was India taking in this regard," sources said.

They said Jaishankar informed the members that the interim govt in Dhaka has claimed that the attacks on Hindus were "politically motivated" and not "minority targeted." Jaishankar briefed the MPs on ties with Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. He said he will speak about Pakistan and China separately at a later date.

"He indicated that PM Modi may attend BIMSTEC Summit from April 2 to 4 in in Bangkok, Thailand, but did not confirm the visit at the meeting," sources said. He also informed the meeting that the PM will visit Sri Lanka next month.

"On whether the PM is expected to meet Yunus and hold bilaterals with him on the sidelines of BIMSTEC, Jaishankar remained non-committal saying that it is under consideration," sources said.