DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh said on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not visit India until New Delhi extradites former premier Sheikh Hasina, amid strained relations between the neighbours.
Dhaka said a “conducive environment” must be created before Rahman makes a proposed bilateral visit to India. It urged New Delhi to expedite the extradition of Hasina and other fugitives.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson A.K.M. Shahidul Karim said officials from Bangladesh and India had been discussing Rahman’s proposed visit for several weeks.
“We believe a conducive environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim told reporters in Dhaka.
“To this end, we have requested the Indian authorities to take prompt action on our requests for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives,” he said.
DHAKA SETS CONDITIONS FOR TARIQUE RAHMAN’S INDIA VISIT
Bangladesh says a “propitious environment” must be created in New Delhi before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visits India.
Dhaka also questioned why Sheikh Hasina was allowed to hold a press conference from India and… pic.twitter.com/cXjkz42McC
— Subodh Kumar (@kumarsubodh_) August 16, 2026
India has said Bangladesh’s extradition request for Hasina is under consideration.
Hasina issue strains India-Bangladesh ties
Hasina fled to India in August 2024 after weeks of deadly student-led protests brought down her 15-year government.
Bangladesh has since repeatedly sought her extradition. She was later sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown on the uprising. Hasina has rejected the verdict as legally void.
The United Nations has estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed during the 2024 crackdown.
Tensions rose further after Hasina was allowed to address an event in New Delhi by video link earlier this month.
Bangladesh’s government said the appearance disrupted diplomatic efforts to improve relations. Karim said the process had been “vitiated” by Hasina’s public media interactions despite her conviction.
Dhaka had already warned India on August 4 that allowing Hasina to engage in political activity from Indian territory could damage efforts to improve bilateral ties.
Bangladesh seeks other extraditions
Bangladesh is also seeking the extradition of suspects accused of killing Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi under the bilateral extradition treaty.
Karim said Dhaka had asked India to hand over the suspects and was awaiting New Delhi’s response.
Also Read: Bangladesh Outraged as India Allows Hasina’s Live Media Session in Delhi
He also said the government would continue pursuing a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy based on sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual benefit.
The policy, he said, would seek friendly and mutually beneficial relations with India and other countries.
PM Rahman’s visit remains uncertain
Rahman took office in February after an election that brought his party to government. He has since visited Malaysia and China, departing from the tradition of Bangladeshi leaders making India their first overseas destination.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Rahman to attend the outreach session of the BRICS Summit in Delhi in September in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC. India also invited him for a bilateral visit in February.
Uncertainty over Rahman’s participation emerged after Hasina was allowed to address an event in Delhi.
The latest dispute follows Hasina’s public declaration that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December, despite the death sentence against her.
Speaking on the second anniversary of the student-led uprising, Hasina said she was prepared to face imprisonment or death if she returned.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said it was “outraged” that she had been allowed to participate in the Delhi event.
It accused Hasina and her allies of making hostile statements against Bangladesh and said her appearance on Indian soil was an affront to the country’s sovereignty.
Hasina said she wanted to return in December.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, meanwhile praised India for its treatment of his mother, saying she had been provided security and services befitting a head of state.
Hasina has remained in India since her government was overthrown. Her Awami League party has since been banned in Bangladesh.
