Web Desk: Bangladesh has made the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a key issue in discussions over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India, highlighting the continuing strain in relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Bangladesh wants India to take steps toward resolving the extradition request involving Hasina and other fugitives before Rahman travels to the country. The demand reflects the extent to which the former leader’s presence in India continues to influence bilateral ties.
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesman A.K.M. Shahidul Karim said Dhaka expected New Delhi to help establish an appropriate atmosphere before any visit by Rahman.
He also called for progress on Bangladesh’s requests for the return of Hasina and other wanted individuals.
India, meanwhile, has said it is considering Bangladesh’s extradition request through its legal and judicial processes. New Delhi has yet to make a final determination on whether Hasina will be returned.
The issue has remained contentious since Hasina left Bangladesh for India after a mass political uprising brought an end to her long tenure in power in August 2024.
The dispute intensified after Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina in absentia in 2025 in a case involving allegations of crimes against humanity during the unrest. The former prime minister has rejected the proceedings and disputed the allegations against her.
More recently, tensions rose after Hasina spoke to the media in New Delhi and indicated that she planned to return to Bangladesh in December.
Dhaka objected to the appearance and questioned India’s decision to allow the former leader to make public remarks from Indian territory.
India has maintained that its position on political activity by Hasina remains unchanged and that Bangladesh’s extradition request is being handled through the relevant legal channels.
Against this backdrop, Rahman has focused some of his early foreign engagements on countries other than India. He has travelled to Malaysia and China since assuming office, according to the information provided.
The absence of an India visit highlights the diplomatic difficulties facing his government as it seeks to manage relations with its powerful neighbour while simultaneously pressing New Delhi over unresolved issues connected to Hasina.
At the same time, India has indicated that it wants to preserve engagement with Bangladesh despite disagreements over the former prime minister and other contentious matters.
The extradition dispute has consequently become closely linked to wider efforts to improve Bangladesh-India relations.
For Dhaka, bringing Hasina back remains both a legal and political priority. For New Delhi, the request involves domestic legal procedures as well as the broader implications for relations with Bangladesh.
The disagreement could therefore complicate efforts to arrange a high-level meeting between Rahman and Indian officials.
As both sides weigh their next diplomatic moves, the Hasina extradition issue is likely to remain one of the most sensitive matters between the two governments.
How the dispute develops could influence not only the timing of Rahman’s potential India visit but also the prospects for a broader reset in relations between the neighbouring countries.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks India’s clarification over Sheikh Hasina’s political activities
