Dhaka and New Delhi have been in communication for several days over arrangements for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India this month. India has initially proposed a two-day visit in the third week of this month. However, the biggest obstacle to finalising the visit is the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Following the 2024 mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina has been staying in Delhi and was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal. Differences between the two neighbouring countries over her extradition have yet to be resolved.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Delhi told Prothom Alo on Friday that Bangladesh has urged the creation of a “conducive environment” to advance bilateral relations. At the same time, it is stressing the need to resolve sensitive issues. The extradition of Sheikh Hasina tops the list of these issues. Bangladesh has also been displeased by political activities she has carried out and statements she has made from India at various times. The issues concerning Sheikh Hasina are directly linked to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Delhi. Bangladesh is seeking strong assurances from India on these matters.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi returned to Dhaka yesterday, Friday afternoon after holding discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior policymakers in Delhi. He had travelled to Delhi last Monday afternoon after paying his first courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. There, he conveyed Bangladesh’s message on bilateral relations to Prime Minister Modi. Diplomatic sources indicated that he returned with guidance from the Indian prime minister on advancing the “people-centric relationship” between the two countries.
Government sources in Dhaka said Dinesh Trivedi may meet Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman today, Saturday. They are expected to discuss various bilateral issues, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit.
Several leading Indian media outlets, including The Times of India, NDTV and The Tribune, have published reports on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit. Several reports said that although preparations for the visit are progressing, the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition has emerged as one of the key subjects of discussion between the two countries. The English daily The Tribune, citing its own sources, claimed that Bangladesh has conveyed to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not visit India unless there is progress on the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition.
The issue of improving relations with Bangladesh also came up in the Rajya Sabha. On Thursday, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh did not answer a question from Trinamool Congress member Rajib Kumar about steps taken by the Indian government to improve relations with Bangladesh. He did, however, answer three other questions from the West Bengal opposition member.
According to diplomatic observers, avoiding the question at such a sensitive time also indicates Delhi’s cautious position.
The issue of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit also came up at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ regular briefing yesterday.
Prothom Alo’s New Delhi correspondent reports that repeated questions were asked at the briefing about whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman could visit India in August. One journalist asked when Tarique Rahman would come—before or after the BRICS summit. Another journalist asked whether Tarique Rahman would visit Delhi before the BRICS summit. He also asked whether any news about the visit had emerged after Dinesh Trivedi returned to Dhaka following discussions in Delhi. Another journalist asked whether Bangladesh had set any condition that Tarique Rahman would not visit India unless Hasina was extradited, and whether such reports were true or false.
Responding to all the questions, India Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Tarique Rahman had already been invited to visit India on a bilateral visit. He was later invited as the chair of BIMSTEC, at the BRICS summit. He said any progress on the matter would be shared.
More to follow...