Sheikh Hasina remains at the centre of strained Bangladesh-India relations, with Dhaka urging New Delhi to accelerate her extradition before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman considers a visit to India. Bangladesh said on Sunday that Rahman would not travel to India until authorities address the extradition request for Hasina, who fled to neighbouring India after the 2024 uprising that ended her government. Hasina faces the death penalty in Bangladesh after a court convicted her of crimes against humanity. Dhaka has repeatedly asked India to hand her over. Foreign ministry official AKM Shahidul Karim dismissed speculation that Rahman could visit India next week, saying conditions must first become favourable. New Provinces MQM-P calls for national dialogue on administrative reforms “We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim told reporters. He said Bangladesh had urged Indian authorities to expedite proceedings concerning Hasina and other fugitives. India has responded that Bangladesh’s extradition request remains “under examination”. Rahman took office in February and has since visited Malaysia and China. His decision not to make India his first overseas destination broke with the tradition followed by previous Bangladeshi leaders. Speculation about a possible India visit increased after Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Rahman last week. Karim confirmed that officials from both countries have recently discussed the possibility of such a visit. However, he said Hasina’s public media appearances had complicated the process. “The process has been vitiated by Sheikh Hasina’s open media interactions,” Karim said, referring to her status as a person convicted of crimes against humanity. Hasina, once known internationally for her pro-democracy credentials, faced growing criticism over what opponents described as increasingly authoritarian rule during her 15 years in power. She said earlier this month that she planned to return to Bangladesh in December, even if authorities imprisoned her. Karim said the government would pursue a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy focused on national sovereignty and non-interference. Dhaka also wants mutually beneficial relations with India and other countries, he added. Post navigation Huckabee: US envoy condemns West Bank settler siege as ‘horrific act of terror’
