Bangladesh said on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not travel to India until New Delhi extradites former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country during the 2024 uprising that ended her government.
Foreign ministry official A.K.M. Shahidul Karim played down reports of a possible trip by Rahman to India next week. “We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” he told reporters, Ada Derana reported.
“To this end, we have urged the Indian authorities to expedite their efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives,” Karim said.
A strained relationship
Relations between the two neighbours have been difficult since anti-government protests brought down Hasina’s administration and prompted her to flee to India, where she remains. She has since been convicted of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh and faces the death penalty.
Dhaka has repeatedly asked for her return. India has said the extradition request is “under examination”.
Rahman took office in February. He has since visited Malaysia and China, breaking with the convention under which Bangladeshi leaders have made India their first overseas destination.
India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Rahman last week, prompting speculation that a diplomatic breakthrough might be near.
