‘Hope for safety and protection of Hindus’: PM Modi to Muhammad Yunus upon inauguration as Bangladesh leader

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent best wishes to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus who was sworn in as Bangladesh's interim government's chief adviser on Thursday (August 8) evening. PM Modi called upon Yunus to ensure the "safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities", who have come under targeted attacks since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5.

"My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X on Thursday, less than an hour after Yunus was sworn-in as the leader of Bangladesh's interim government.

Yunus was sworn in days after a student-led uprising toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India, and is since stationedat a military airbase near New Delhi.

In India's corridors of power, Hasina is credited with having kept Dhaka equidistant from New Delhi and Beijing during her regime.

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India shares a border with Bangladesh of more than 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles).

Numerousbusinesses and homes owned by Hindus were attacked following Hasina's ousting, and an unspecified number of Hindus have been killed in targeted mob violence.

From parliament to the External Affairs Ministry, New Delhi has repeatedly expressed concerns about the state of minorities in the South Asian nation after Hasina's exit.