Bangladesh has ruled out a visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India until New Delhi extradites former premier Sheikh Hasina, who has remained in India since fleeing Bangladesh during the 2024 uprising.
Relations between the two neighbours have been strained since mass anti-government protests ended Hasina’s administration. She subsequently took refuge in India and has since been convicted of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh and sentenced to death.
Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, while India has said the request remains “under examination.”
Foreign ministry official A.K.M. Shahidul Karim on Sunday sought to dampen speculation that Rahman could travel to India as early as next week, saying appropriate conditions would first have to be established.
“We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim said, adding that Bangladesh had asked Indian authorities to accelerate efforts to return Hasina and other wanted individuals.
Rahman, who became prime minister in February, has already travelled to Malaysia and China, breaking with the practice of Bangladeshi leaders traditionally choosing India for their first foreign visit.
Speculation about a possible improvement in relations increased after Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Rahman last week. Karim confirmed that officials from the two countries had recently been discussing a potential visit.
However, he said those efforts had been complicated by Hasina’s public media appearances from India, despite her conviction in Bangladesh.
Hasina, who governed Bangladesh for 15 years, said earlier this month that she intended to return to the country in December, even if doing so resulted in her imprisonment.
Karim said Dhaka would continue pursuing a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy, emphasising national sovereignty and non-interference while maintaining mutually beneficial relations with India and other countries.