Dhaka: Bangladesh has not yet made a decision regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India, as it awaits a response from New Delhi concerning issues recently raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ‘No decision has been made yet [regarding the PM’s visit],’ Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh (Saleh Shibly) informed United News of Bangladesh on Friday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, The Indian Express, an Indian daily newspaper, reported that the Prime Minister might visit New Delhi between August 23 and 25. However, a statement regarding preparations at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the potential visit was retracted by India on Friday. An official press release from the Indian President’s Secretariat indicated that a Change of Guard Ceremony would not occur on Saturday due to a full rehearsal for the Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s ceremonial welcome, but this statement was later withdrawn.
On August 16, Bangladesh urged Indian authorities to act swiftly on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives and to hand over those accused of killing Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, in line with their bilateral extradition treaty. ‘We are awaiting their response,’ stated A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Officials from both Bangladesh and India have been in contact for several weeks regarding a possible bilateral visit by Prime Minister Rahman. However, the process was complicated by an open press interaction in New Delhi on August 5 by Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted of crimes against humanity by the International Crimes Tribunal. ‘We have made our position clear on this matter,’ Karim said while reading a prepared statement, declining to take questions.
Prime Minister Rahman’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humaiun Kobir, emphasized that the Prime Minister’s first visit to India should be bilateral rather than part of multilateral platforms like BRICS or the United Nations General Assembly. Speaking to private TV channels, Adviser Kobir suggested that any visit should result in clear outcomes and mutual respect. ‘There are issues related to the interests of the two countries and these are not something to rush into,’ he noted.
He highlighted groundwork on several issues as necessary before a consensus can be reached. Kobir noted a positive shift in conversations from India, acknowledging that recent events have impacted Bangladeshi sentiments. He stressed that recognizing today’s Bangladesh is crucial for resetting relations, referring to the absence of figures like Sheikh Hasina in the current landscape.
Indian media, The Print, reported India’s commitment to offering Prime Minister Rahman an ‘honourable welcome,’ signaling clear intent from New Delhi. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, called for moving beyond differences to establish a relationship based on ‘mutual and unconditional trust,’ suggesting that issues could be resolved through engagement and dialogue.
Trivedi relayed an assurance from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the potential visit, describing it as one that would benefit people and businesses on both sides. Regarding Hasina’s extradition request, the Indian government stated that it is under judicial and legal review. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned extending an invitation to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for both a bilateral visit and the BRICS Summit outreach session, pledging to provide updates on any progress.