Delhi sends message of positive relations, but Hasina's extradition still under review
Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Collected photo.
Bangladesh has set conditions for Tarique Rahman's visit to India that includes extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister. While this matter remains under review, New Delhi has conveyed a message of moving forward with positive relations with Bangladesh.
Amidst various discussions regarding Bangladesh's Prime Minister's potential visit to India, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed New Delhi's stance today (Tuesday).
India has invited Tarique Rahman to both bilateral and BRICS conferences. However, Bangladesh has called on India to create a "conducive" atmosphere for this visit.
In this regard, Dhaka has set conditions, including advancing the extradition process of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is taking refuge in India, and returning the accused in the murder case of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Manch.
During the regular press briefing at India's Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, journalists asked Jaiswal about these issues.
Regarding Sheikh Hasina's extradition, he said, "These requests are being reviewed as part of our ongoing legal processes."
Recent media reports in India suggested that the Indian government wants to leave the final decision on extraditing Sheikh Hasina—who has been sentenced to death in Bangladesh for crimes against humanity—to the country's courts.
Awami League (now banned) President Sheikh Hasina held a virtual press conference in Delhi on August 5, this year. Bangladesh has already stated that this has created complications in the process of Tarique Rahman's visit.
When asked for a reaction to this, Jaiswal said their previous position remains unchanged.
India had earlier stated that Sheikh Hasina's press conference had no connection with the Indian government.
After the political change in Bangladesh following the July 2024 uprising, Dhaka-Delhi relations hit rock bottom. Signs of thawing in the relationship appeared after the BNP formed the government through elections in February.
Although tensions have resurfaced over Tarique Rahman's potential visit, Jaiswal claimed that New Delhi wants to advance relations.
"I would like to say that India wants a positive, constructive, and future-oriented relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual interests and partnership," he said.
At the same time, he mentioned that issues related to common rivers and water cooperation between the two countries, including the Teesta River, should be advanced through bilateral processes.
In Jaiswal's words, "There are several common rivers between the two countries. To be specific, 54 rivers are common between the two countries. All water-related cooperation or discussions must be conducted through existing structured dialogue mechanisms, including the Joint Rivers Commission between the two countries."
