Yunus' sweet diplomacy, sends mangoes for Modi, CMs

Professor Muhammad Yunus, who heads Bangladesh's interim government, has initiated 'mango diplomacy' with New Delhi.

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A consignment of 1,000 kg of the famous Haribhanga variety has been sent by Dhaka as a goodwill gesture. The consignment is scheduled to reach New Delhi on Monday.

The mangoes, packed in cartons are to be gifted to Modi, diplomats and other officials over the next couple of days.

The interim government is also sending mangoes to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Some have also been sent to the Chief Minister of Tripura. The mangoes, packed in 60 cartons, were conveyed via Akhaura land port at around 5.15 pm on Thursday.

PM Modi and Yunus last met in April on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. It was their first face-to-face meeting since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government.

Prime Minister Modi had reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He also underlined that India believed in a people-centric approach to the relationship, and highlighted that the cooperation between the two countries, over a long period of time, had delivered tangible benefits to the citizens.

Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have seen some tensions after Hasina was ousted last year following massive student-led demonstrations. The Hasina government maintained close ties with New Delhi.

With Bangladesh's caretaker government being close to China and Pakistan — fanning regional instability — India is edgy over the developments.