Dhaka: Days after Sheikh Hasina held a virtual news conference in Delhi, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office here on Monday.
At the meeting, described as a ‘courtesy call’, Bangladesh reiterated its request for the extradition of Hasina who has been in self-exile in India since resigning as Prime Minister and fleeing her country following a massive student movement in July-August 2024.
Dhaka called on India to speed up Hasina’s extradition and create an environment conducive to advancing bilateral ties.
Her presence in India for two years remains a major issue in bilateral relations, especially as the former PM faces multiple cases and charges, and has even been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) — Bangladesh’s domestic war crimes court — after being found guilty of crimes against humanity for the violent suppression of student protests that led to the collapse of her government.
This was the first meeting between Tarique and Trivedi, a political appointee who was sent to Dhaka about two months ago.
The Bangladesh government said “important bilateral issues” were discussed at the meeting.
“Bangladesh hopes that India will expedite the process of extraditing Sheikh Hasina,” read a statement issued in Bengali.
Tarique “emphasised the need to create a conducive environment to further advance relations between the two countries.”
Foreign minister Khalilur Rahman, who attended the meeting with the Prime Minister’s adviser on foreign affairs Humaiun Kobir, told reporters that the issue of the “extradition of the convicted fugitive Sheikh Hasina came up and we told them to expedite the extradition”.
“We hope that India will respond positively on this issue,” he added.
Khalilur said the Indian side has understood Bangladesh’s position on Hasina. “Sheikh Hasina is a convicted person,” he said, noting that her news conference in New Delhi on August 5 undermined the judiciary, one of the pillars of the state of Bangladesh.
“And the government of India allowed her to do that. We hope they will not do anything in the future that undermines any of the pillars of our state. That is our expectation.”
Tarique yet to decide on India visit
PM Tarique has been extended two invitations to India — for a bilateral visit and to attend next month’s BRICS Summit.
However, the Bangladesh government is yet to take a call on Tarique’s visit to India, informed Khalilur.
Bangladesh also reiterated its request for handing over two of its nationals arrested in India on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Bangladeshi politician Sharif Osman Hadi.
“The suspected killers of Hadi have been caught. We have provided all the documents that were sought by India… This is a very sensitive issue for us and we said these suspected killers should be extradited to us as quickly as possible,” Khalilur said.
Trivedi stresses on talks
Trivedi told the media that all issues between India and Bangladesh can be addressed through talks.
“I can confidently say that there are no issues that we can’t sit down together and resolve. We are both vibrant democracies and the people of both countries want good relations – that is natural.”
The High Commissioner said he had “very good discussions” with Tarique, and both sides are “looking forward”.
“You can’t change history or our neighbourhood. We don’t only share the border, we share dreams and I believe the future will be good. We have to sort out the issues and I am very confident,” Trivedi said.
Trivedi left for New Delhi shortly after his meeting with the Bangladesh PM.