Bangladesh sets condition for Tarique Rahman’s India visit, wants Sheikh Hasina extradited

Bangladesh has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not travel to India unless New Delhi takes steps towards extraditing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh during the 2024 uprising.

The statement comes amid renewed contact between Dhaka and New Delhi and speculation that Rahman could visit India next week. Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina's extradition after she was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.

Dhaka seeks Hasina's extradition

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official AKM Shahidul Karim said on Sunday that a suitable environment would be necessary before Rahman undertakes a visit to India.

"We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit," Karim told reporters.

"To this end, we have urged the Indian authorities to expedite their efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives."

India has said that Bangladesh's extradition request is "under examination".

Rahman became prime minister in February and has since travelled to Malaysia and China. His decision not to make India his first overseas destination had already drawn attention, given the traditionally close engagement between the two neighbours.

India-Bangladesh ties remain strained

Relations between the two countries have faced difficulties since deadly protests led to the fall of Hasina's government in 2024. Hasina subsequently left Bangladesh for India, where she remains.

India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Rahman last week, adding to speculation that the two sides could be working towards a possible high-level visit.

Karim confirmed that Bangladeshi and Indian officials have remained in contact over the possibility of Rahman's visit. However, he said Hasina's public statements had complicated the situation.

"But the process has been vitiated by Sheikh Hasina's open media interactions, despite her being a convict in crimes against humanity."

Dhaka outlines 'Bangladesh First' policy

Hasina, who led Bangladesh for 15 years, said earlier this month that she intended to return to the country in December even if she faced imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Karim said the government would follow a "Bangladesh First" foreign policy focused on sovereignty and non-interference. Dhaka, he added, would continue seeking mutually beneficial relations with India and other countries.