DHAKA, Aug 10 (Reuters) – Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman informed India’s envoy on Monday that a “conducive environment” is necessary to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighboring nations. This statement comes as Dhaka continues to pressure New Delhi regarding the politically sensitive issue of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exile in India.
Rahman’s comments underscore his six-month-old government’s efforts to stabilize relations with its largest neighbor while simultaneously seeking progress on long-standing irritants that have persisted since Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
While Rahman has consistently sought good relations with India since assuming power, Monday’s remarks represent his first explicit emphasis on the need to improve underlying conditions to boost these ties.
The Prime Minister made these statements during his inaugural meeting with Dinesh Trivedi, the new Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Following the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement confirming that Rahman “emphasized the need to create a conducive environment to further advance the bilateral relations between the two countries.” The statement also indicated that Bangladesh urged India to expedite Hasina’s extradition.
Hasina, who has been residing in India since the fall of her government, is currently facing legal proceedings in Bangladesh and was sentenced to death in November.
Dhaka’s request for extradition follows closely on the heels of Hasina’s first interaction with the media since she fled Bangladesh. During an online audio conference, she reiterated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, a declaration that reignited attention on her continued presence and political activities in India.
The Bangladesh foreign ministry strongly criticized this event, asserting that providing Hasina with the platform to hold such an event was deeply hurtful and that Bangladesh was outraged.
India, for its part, has stated that it is currently examining Bangladesh’s extradition request in accordance with its established legal and judicial procedures.
In a post on X, the Indian High Commission reported that High Commissioner Trivedi reaffirmed India’s commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh in a “positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.”
