Guwahati: Bangladesh has told India that certain outstanding issues must be addressed before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed bilateral visit can take place, including the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Foreign Ministry spokesman AKM Shahidul Karim said on Sunday that Dhaka has asked New Delhi to speed up action on its requests for Hasina and other fugitives to be extradited to Bangladesh. It has also sought the handover of those accused in the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
Karim said discussions between Bangladeshi and Indian officials over Tarique’s possible visit had been underway for several weeks. However, he said the process was affected by Hasina’s public interaction with the media in New Delhi on August 5.
In a statement delivered during a media briefing, Karim said Bangladesh had communicated its concerns to India over Hasina, who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh on charges of crimes against humanity.
Dhaka now wants the conditions surrounding the proposed visit to be improved before the plans move ahead, the spokesman said.
“We are of the view that a conducive environment needs to be created for this visit,” Karim said, adding that Bangladesh was awaiting India’s response to its extradition requests.
He also referred to the bilateral extradition treaty in connection with Dhaka’s demand for the accused in Hadi’s killing to be handed over to Bangladesh.
Karim said Bangladesh would continue to follow its “Bangladesh First” policy in dealing with India and other countries. He said Dhaka’s foreign relations would remain guided by sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in domestic affairs, and mutual benefit.
The statement comes as Dhaka and New Delhi continue discussions over Tarique’s first bilateral visit to India since he assumed office as prime minister.
Diplomatic and political sources in both countries had earlier indicated that August 22 and 23 were being considered for the proposed visit, although no final schedule has been announced.