Dhaka, Aug 16: Bangladesh has asked India to create a “conducive environment” for a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi, even as Dhaka pressed for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives, The Daily Star reported on Sunday.
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said Dhaka had made its position clear to India regarding Rahman’s proposed visit.
“We have made our position clear on this matter. We are of the view that an appropriate environment needs to be created for this visit,” Karim said during a media briefing, according to The Daily Star.
He said Bangladesh had requested Indian authorities to “expeditiously act” on its demand for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and others.
According to the newspaper, Bangladesh and India have remained in contact for several weeks over the possibility of Rahman undertaking a bilateral visit to India. Diplomatic sources have indicated that the Bangladeshi Prime Minister could visit India between August 20 and 25, although the specific dates are still under discussion.
The proposed visit comes amid uncertainty over Rahman’s possible travel to New Delhi in connection with the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12-13.
The Bangladesh spokesperson reiterated Dhaka’s “balance-first policy” in conducting relations with other countries, including its neighbours. He said Bangladesh’s foreign policy would be guided by sovereignty, equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and mutual benefit.
Rahman met Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi last week and, according to reports, raised the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. Trivedi subsequently held a one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on August 11, a day after his meeting with Rahman in Dhaka.
The developments come as Bangladesh seeks to recalibrate its ties with India following major political changes in Dhaka.
