‘Propitious Environment’ Needed: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Hasina Extradition

Bangladesh on Sunday linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed India visit to its demand for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, saying a “propitious environment” must first be created for the trip.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim said Dhaka and New Delhi had been in contact for several weeks over Rahman’s proposed visit. However, he said recent developments involving Hasina had complicated the discussions.

“We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim said. He said Bangladesh wanted India to take prompt action on its request to extradite Hasina and other fugitives. Dhaka is also seeking the handover of people accused in the killing of Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

The latest comments make the Hasina issue a key hurdle for Rahman’s proposed trip. Other reports said Bangladesh wants progress on the extradition issue before the visit can be finalised.

Karim said talks over Rahman’s visit had been “vitiated” by Hasina’s August 5 media interaction from New Delhi. Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted in August 2024 following deadly protests, said she intended to return to Bangladesh in December and put the country back on the “right track” by restoring democracy.

Dhaka reacted angrily, describing Hasina as an “absconding, convicted genocider” and saying the event hurt the sentiments of Bangladeshis. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it had no role in the interaction and did not endorse remarks made against the Bangladesh government.

Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 over alleged crimes against humanity. India has maintained that Dhaka’s extradition request is under examination under applicable law and established legal procedures.

Rahman became prime minister in February and has since travelled to Malaysia and China. His proposed India trip would be his first official visit to New Delhi as prime minister. Dhaka and New Delhi had been discussing a possible visit between August 20 and 25, though no date has been finalised.

India has separately invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and for the BRICS Summit outreach session in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. This came after confusion over whether the BRICS invitation was addressed to Rahman personally or to Bangladesh in its capacity as BIMSTEC chair. India clarified on August 14 that invitations had been extended for both engagements.

The diplomatic push gained momentum after Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Rahman in Dhaka on August 10. Trivedi later met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and briefed him on his discussions with Bangladesh’s leadership.

Beyond the Hasina issue, the two sides are also looking to maintain cooperation in trade, energy and regional connectivity. Trivedi recently held talks with Bangladesh officials on power and energy cooperation, while Dhaka has sought greater diesel supplies from India.

Rahman’s government has said it will follow a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy based on sovereignty and non-interference. But with Dhaka now seeking action on Hasina’s extradition before Rahman’s India trip, the proposed visit has become an important test for the two countries’ efforts to repair strained relations.