Dhaka, June 7: Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the political situation in the country, apparently painting an unflattering picture of the Sheikh Hasina government.

"The lack of democracy in the country was explained to the Prime Minister. We had decided to talk to him as he represents a country which has a democratic institution," senior BNP leader Moyeen Khan, who had accompanied Khaleda to the meeting, told reporters.

Khan said that democracy was in danger in Bangladesh as institutions like the election commission and the police were not playing a "neutral" role.

Sources in the Indian high commission said that Khaleda, a former Prime Minister, had been keen on meeting Modi and that her eagerness reflected her party's changing position on India. The BNP has traditionally been seen as hawkish on India.

After meeting the party delegation, Modi had a one-on-one with Khaleda, Khan said.

When Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar was asked about Modi's reaction to the BNP's assessment of the situation in Bangladesh, he said: "The Prime Minister said that we support democracy but we are opposed to terrorism and religious fundamentalism."

The comment is significant as BNP ally Jamaat-e-Islami is accused of fanning anti-India sentiments and carrying out atrocities on Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. The Opposition combine also faces charges of stoking political unrest to unsettle the Hasina government.

After last year's general election, which the BNP boycotted as its demand for a poll-time caretaker government had not been met, its leaders had accused India for not doing enough to compel Hasina to hold a "participatory election".

"But the situation has changed now and the BNP is trying to send a message to India that the perception about its anti-India stand is misplaced," said a diplomat working with a foreign embassy in Dhaka.

The BNP has termed Modi's visit "well-intended". Today, one of the party's key advisers, A.K. Mahmud Chowdhury, praised the speech Modi had delivered this evening.

Chowdhury said he had liked the speech. "We need to look at the big picture and Mr Modi has indeed given a big picture. He spoke about the bilateral relationship as well as regional growth in every sector," he said.