TBM Report
Bangladesh has urged India to create a conducive diplomatic environment ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed state visit to New Delhi. To this end, Dhaka requested the immediate extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives under the bilateral extradition treaty, while also demanding the handover of suspects wanted in the murder case of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AKM Shaheedul Karim, conveyed these demands during a weekly media briefing at the ministry on Sunday afternoon. He confirmed that Bangladesh is currently awaiting an official response from Indian authorities regarding these extradition requests.
Karim noted that diplomatic channels between Dhaka and New Delhi have actively engaged over the past few weeks to finalize the Prime Minister’s maiden state visit to India. However, he pointed out that recent developments degraded the diplomatic atmosphere. Specifically, Sheikh Hasina—who stands convicted of crimes against humanity by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal—addressed a public press conference in Delhi on August 5, an event Dhaka views as detrimental to the diplomatic process.
Reiterating Bangladesh’s core foreign policy orientation, the spokesperson emphasized that Dhaka will strictly uphold a “Bangladesh First” doctrine to build balanced, mutually beneficial relations with all regional neighbors and international partners.
The state visit follows an official invitation extended to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Diplomatic discussions initially focused on scheduling the two-day high-profile summit during the third or fourth week of August. While India submitted an initial proposal, Dhaka is currently reviewing alternative dates close to the suggested timeframe.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka suggest that finalizing the schedule largely hinges on New Delhi’s willingness to address Bangladesh’s security and legal concerns. The foreign offices of both nations remain in active communication as they navigate these extradition requests ahead of the summit.
