Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sheikh Hasina's press conference disrupts Tarique Rahman's India visit, says Spokesperson
AKM Shahidul Karim. Photo: Collected.
Additional Foreign Secretary and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Diplomacy Wing, AKM Shahidul Karim, has said that the press conference held in Delhi earlier this month by Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, has disrupted communication between the two countries regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson and Additional Foreign Secretary for Public Diplomacy informed journalists of this today (Sunday).
Shahidul Karim said, "Officials from Bangladesh and India had been in communication with each other over the past few weeks regarding the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India. However, this process has been affected due to the open media interaction held in New Delhi on August 5 by Sheikh Hasina, who was convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity. We have made our position clear on this matter."
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson further said, "We believe that a suitable or favourable environment needs to be created for this visit. To that end, we have urged the Indian authorities to take swift action on our request for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals."
"At the same time, we have called upon the Indian government to hand over to Bangladesh the murderers accused in the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, in accordance with the provisions of our bilateral extradition treaty. We are awaiting their response," added Shahidul Karim.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "We will continue to follow the 'Bangladesh First' policy to strengthen friendly bilateral relations with our neighbours and other countries, based on sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and mutual benefit."
This statement from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson comes amid reports in Indian media that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may soon visit India.
Relations between Dhaka and Delhi became strained after the July 2024 popular uprising. The various actions of Sheikh Hasina, who took refuge in India after being ousted from power, have also had an impact.
In the meantime, after the BNP formed a government through elections last February, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the new Prime Minister Taique Rahman to visit. Last month, Tarique Rahman was also sent an invitation letter to participate in the BRICS summit scheduled for September.
