Dhaka Seeks Support from India to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Foreign Minister Briefing: Dhaka Seeks Support from India to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Bangladesh has called on India to help create a favorable environment to advance relations between the two neighboring countries. This message was conveyed during Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi’s first courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday morning.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman shared details at a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the meeting at the prime minister’s secretariat. He emphasized the importance of establishing an “enabling environment” to move bilateral relations forward.

The foreign minister also stated that Bangladesh urged New Delhi to expedite the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, who is currently in India. Dhaka also requested the extradition of suspects involved in the murder of Inqilab Moncho convenor Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.

Regarding reports that the suspected killers in Hadi’s case had been detained in India, Khalilur Rahman said, “We have provided all requested documents. This is a highly sensitive issue for us, and we have asked for their swift extradition.”

When asked about discussions on border killings and push-backs, the foreign minister confirmed these topics were briefly addressed but noted, “These are not matters for discussion at the prime ministerial level.” He added that such issues were discussed in his meeting with the Indian high commissioner the previous day.

On Bangladesh’s earlier expression of displeasure over the events of August 5, Khalilur Rahman said, “We have clearly stated our position, and Indian authorities have taken it seriously. They informed me yesterday and conveyed the same to the prime minister today.”

Regarding whether India had apologized for allowing Sheikh Hasina to hold a press conference in New Delhi on August 5, marking the second anniversary of the July uprising, the foreign minister said the issue should not be reduced to a simple apology.

He explained, “A state has three branches—the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Sheikh Hasina is under the jurisdiction of the judiciary. She was tried and sentenced by a Bangladeshi court. Typically, a convicted person is taken into custody and makes their defense in court.”

Khalilur Rahman added, “What Hasina did on August 5 was to spread hatred against Bangladesh’s judiciary, one of the state’s three branches, and the Indian government allowed it.”

He emphasized, “We expect all countries to respect Bangladesh’s constitutional structure. We believe the Indian government understands this and hope they will avoid any actions that undermine our state. Based on discussions, I am somewhat reassured and hopeful such incidents will not recur.”

When asked about invitations extended to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit New Delhi, the foreign minister clarified, “The prime minister was not invited to BRICS but as the chair of BIMSTEC. It is an important distinction.”

He also mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent an invitation letter to Bangladesh’s prime minister, handed over on the day the new government formed.

Asked if a visit to Delhi was discussed during the Indian high commissioner’s meeting with the prime minister, Khalilur Rahman said, “No decision has been made yet.”