Bangladesh presses India on Hasina return before Rahman visit

Bangladesh said Sunday that prime minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India is unlikely to proceed unless New Delhi acts on Dhaka’s extradition requests for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.

Foreign ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim said weeks of discussions over the visit were affected by Hasina’s Aug. 5 public interaction in New Delhi.

“We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim said.

Bangladesh also urged India to hand over two men accused of killing political activist Sharif Osman Hadi. They were arrested in West Bengal in March.

Dhaka said Hasina’s public appearance had “vitiated” the visit process. India has said Bangladesh’s extradition request concerning Hasina remains under examination. Hasina fled to India after her government fell in August 2024.