India sidesteps the Hasina Issue without closing the door on talks
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Dhaka remains firm in its demand for Sheikh Hasina's extradition. On the other hand, despite diplomatic tensions, New Delhi is unwilling to close the path of dialogue with Bangladesh. Although the scheduled consular meeting has been postponed, India is interested in discussing all matters of bilateral relations.
In a statement from the country's Ministry of External Affairs on Friday, it was made clear that despite political unease, the Modi government wants to maintain diplomatic correspondence with its neighboring country. The fifth India-Bangladesh consular meeting was scheduled to be held in Dhaka on November 17 and 18. But citing scheduling problems, India requested that the meeting be postponed. A new date has not yet been finalized. At the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly press briefing on Friday, it was stated that the meeting will be held at a mutually convenient time. New Delhi is prepared to discuss all matters, including trade, rail communication, water resources, and border management.
The meeting was to discuss visa services, the repatriation of citizens detained at the border, the release of fishermen, mutual legal assistance, and extradition-related matters. The renewal of the revised travel arrangement was also an important agenda in the list.
However, the biggest point of unease in the relations between the two countries is Sheikh Hasina's extradition. Bangladesh's former prime minister is currently in Delhi. Dhaka has repeatedly been vocal in its demand for her return. On the other hand, new speculation has arisen around recent initiatives concerning Hasina's passport and identity documents.
After the formation of a new government in Bangladesh under Tarique Rahman's leadership, though there has been some progress in trade and visa-related matters, differences remain over borders, water sharing, and Hasina's extradition. In this situation, although the meeting was postponed, India's expression of interest in dialogue made it clear that New Delhi does not want to close the diplomatic door for now.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal gave no answer to questions about reports published in the media that New Delhi wants Bangladesh to send a military aircraft to bring back the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, that she be given the opportunity to appeal against her death sentence, and that there be a new trial for the 2024 crackdown. A journalist raised the matter during the question-and-answer session at the briefing. In his question, he said that several reports are saying that New Delhi wants a military aircraft sent to bring Sheikh Hasina back, that she be given the opportunity to appeal against her death sentence, and that there be a new trial for her over the 2024 repression. Has there been any assurance or communication on this matter? The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs gave no answer to this question. He said, "You have mentioned several possible scenarios. Look, I have nothing to say on that."
