Bangladesh Prime Minister Rahman Conditions India Visit on Hasina Extradition

Bangladesh stated on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not visit India until New Delhi extradited Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi former premier who fled during a 2024 uprising.

Foreign ministry official A.K.M. Shahidul Karim played down media speculation about a possible trip by Rahman to India next week. Karim told reporters, "We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit." He added that Bangladesh urged Indian authorities to expedite their efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.

India has said Bangladesh's extradition request is under examination. The countries have had a strained relationship since deadly anti-government protests brought down Hasina's government in August 2024. Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition. Rahman took office in February and has since visited Malaysia and China, departing from the tradition of Bangladeshi leaders heading to India for their first overseas trip.

India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Rahman last week, fueling speculation over a possible breakthrough. Officials from Bangladesh and India have been in contact in recent weeks about a possible visit by Rahman, with August 20-25 emerging as a potential window. Karim said the process has been vitiated by Sheikh Hasina's open media interactions, despite her being a convict in crimes against humanity.

Hasina vowed this month that she would return to Bangladesh in December even if it meant imprisonment. Karim also said the government would pursue a "Bangladesh First" foreign policy rooted in sovereignty and non-interference while seeking mutually beneficial ties with India and other countries. Bangladesh also has conditions for the extradition of "Hadi Killers." Hasina made her first public audio address on August 5, marking the second anniversary of the student uprising that ousted her.

This event was organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi. India described it as a private media entity, stating its government neither participated in it nor endorsed it.