At the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for the first time since Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Modi urged Yunus to avoid rhetoric that could harm India-Bangladesh ties, referencing Yunus’s recent call for increased Chinese influence in India’s Northeast. He emphasized the need to protect Bangladesh’s Hindu minority and address cross-border security concerns. Modi also supported Bangladesh’s leadership of BIMSTEC and stressed regional cooperation. Bangladesh raised the issue of extraditing Hasina, now under investigation by Yunus’s interim government. Both sides agreed to uphold bilateral dialogue and ensure stability in the region. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday evening for a 3-day visit aimed at strengthening India-Sri Lanka ties. Despite rain, six Sri Lankan ministers welcomed him at the airport, including Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Modi, returning from a BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, wrote on X: “Looking forward to the programs in Sri Lanka.” On April 5, he will hold key talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Around 10 bilateral outcomes are expected, focusing on defence, energy, and digital cooperation. India had earlier provided Sri Lanka $4.5 billion during its economic crisis. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus met Indian PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Thailand, the first such meeting since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. Yunus raised the extradition of Hasina and the Ganga water treaty. The meeting follows Yunus’s controversial remarks in China on India's northeast, which irked New Delhi. India also expressed concern over rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, including temple vandalism and monk arrests. While ties remain strained, both sides described the meeting as “productive.” Modi emphasized the strategic role of India’s northeast, countering Yunus’s China-leaning narrative. (PC: X/@Narendramodi)

During a 40-minute bilateral meeting at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Indian PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus discussed key bilateral concerns. Modi urged Yunus to avoid rhetoric that harms ties and stressed India’s commitment to a peaceful, inclusive Bangladesh. He raised concerns over illegal border crossings and attacks on minorities, especially Hindus. Yunus, in turn, highlighted Bangladesh’s interests, including renewing the Ganges and Teesta treaties, and addressed statements by ousted PM Sheikh Hasina. The meeting marked the first official dialogue since Hasina’s ouster and followed Yunus’s controversial Beijing remarks on regional economic alignment. (PC: X/@Narendramodi)

Over 250 passengers aboard Virgin Atlantic flight VS358 from London to Mumbai were stranded for over 40 hours at Turkey's Diyarbakır Airport following an emergency landing due to a passenger's panic attack. The Airbus A350 encountered technical issues during the unscheduled stop, preventing continuation. Stranded travelers, including infants, diabetics, and a pregnant woman, reported limited food, a single functional toilet, and restricted mobility due to visa constraints. Virgin Atlantic apologized, citing ongoing aircraft inspections and efforts to arrange alternative flights. Diplomats processed 24-hour visas and arranged accommodations, though the timeline for reaching Mumbai remained uncertain. (PC: The Financial Express & The Mirror)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, during the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok—their first meeting since Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024. After Hasina's ouster, who was seen as a reliable and trusted friend of India, the relationship between India and Bangladesh has been strained amid Delhi's concerns over the violence targeting minorities and a rise of hardline Islamist forces in the South Asian country. Yunus assured Modi of their protection. Observers view this dialogue as a potential step toward mending bilateral ties, given the countries' shared 4,000 km border and deep cultural and economic connections. External affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval also attended the meeting. (PC: Orfonline & The Indian Express)

The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has urged the Indian government to withdraw from the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. This call follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. The SJM argues that TRIPS hampers India's ability to produce affordable generic medicines and advocates for policies prioritizing domestic interests over global trade obligations. They believe that exiting TRIPS would bolster India's pharmaceutical sector and ensure better access to essential medicines for its population. (PC: Mint)

A 24-year-old American, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was arrested for illegally entering India's North Sentinel Island, home to the isolated Sentinelese tribe. He approached the island with a coconut and a can of Diet Coke as offerings, attempting to make contact. Despite laws prohibiting travel within 5 km of the island to protect its inhabitants from external diseases, Polyakov landed briefly, left the items, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning. He is currently in police custody for further interrogation. This incident echoes the 2018 death of American missionary John Allen Chau, who was killed by the Sentinelese after illegally venturing onto the island. (PC: Chiang Rai Times)

A Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Mumbai was diverted to Turkey's Diyarbakir Airport due to a passenger's medical emergency. Subsequently, the aircraft encountered technical issues, leaving over 250 passengers stranded for more than 39 hours. Many passengers, including vulnerable individuals, reported inadequate food and facilities. Due to visa restrictions, they were initially confined to the airport. Virgin Atlantic apologized, stating that passengers have been provided hotel accommodations and refreshments while awaiting aircraft inspections. The airline is exploring options to continue the journey, either by obtaining necessary approvals for the current aircraft or arranging alternative transportation. (PC: Business Today & Virgin)

India and Thailand upgraded ties to a Strategic Partnership during PM Narendra Modi’s Bangkok visit. He met Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, signing MoUs on digital technology, maritime heritage, MSMEs, and renewable energy. Modi emphasized India’s 'Act East' policy complementing Thailand’s 'Act West' and stressed cooperation in trade, security, and fintech. “In the Indo-Pacific, we both support free, open, inclusive and rule-based order. We believe in the policy of development, not expansionism,” Modi said. He also expressed solidarity with Thailand after a recent earthquake. (PC: X/narendramodi)