Bangladesh on Sunday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to India is unlikely to proceed unless New Delhi takes steps towards the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives wanted by Dhaka. The development comes amid ongoing diplomatic discussions between the two countries over a possible bilateral visit by Rahman. According to a statement issued by Bangladesh's foreign ministry, officials from India and Bangladesh have been in contact for several weeks regarding the possibility of Rahman travelling to New Delhi.

However, Dhaka has now indicated that it wants certain issues addressed before the visit can take place, particularly its requests for the return of people facing criminal cases in Bangladesh. Bangladesh foreign ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim said discussions over the proposed visit had been affected by a public interaction involving Hasina in New Delhi on August 5. He said Dhaka believed that an appropriate environment needed to be created before Rahman's visit could proceed. The remarks underline the sensitivity surrounding Hasina's presence in India and its potential impact on bilateral ties.

“To this end, we have requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on our request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals,” Karim said. He added that Bangladesh had also sought the handover of people accused in the killing of political activist Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, citing the bilateral extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh. Dhaka is awaiting a response from New Delhi, according to the spokesperson. The demand includes the extradition of Hasina, who is currently in India after leaving Bangladesh, as well as other individuals wanted by Bangladeshi authorities.

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Her presence in India has remained a sensitive issue between the two neighbours, particularly as Bangladesh's interim and subsequent political authorities have sought legal action against her and other former officials. Bangladesh has also specifically raised the case of those accused in the killing of political activist Osman Hadi. Two people accused of involvement in his killing were arrested by the Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police in March, according to the information provided by Bangladeshi authorities. The arrests were made in Bongaon, a border town in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Dhaka's latest statement effectively places the extradition issue alongside the proposed prime ministerial visit, making progress on the matter an important condition for creating what Bangladesh considers a suitable atmosphere for the trip. The two countries have maintained diplomatic channels throughout the discussions, but the issue of fugitives remains a significant point of contention. The proposed visit by Rahman would be significant for India-Bangladesh relations, given the countries' close geographical, economic and security links. New Delhi and Dhaka have traditionally cooperated on areas including trade, connectivity, border management and regional security.

However, political developments in Bangladesh and the presence of Hasina in India have introduced additional complications into the bilateral relationship. For now, Bangladesh says it is waiting for India's response to its extradition requests. No final date for Rahman's proposed visit has been announced, and Dhaka's latest position suggests that the outcome of the extradition discussions could determine whether the planned bilateral engagement in New Delhi moves forward.

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