Bangladesh Conditions PM's India Visit on Sheikh Hasina's Extradition

Bangladesh has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India will depend on the extradition of former premier Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said on Sunday that Dhaka had urged New Delhi to accelerate the process of extraditing Hasina and other fugitives. The comments came as speculation grew over whether Rahman would travel to India later this month for his first official visit since becoming prime minister.

Foreign ministry official A.K.M. Shahidul Karim played down reports that Rahman was certain to travel to India next week, saying that the necessary conditions for such a visit had yet to be established. “We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim told reporters. He added that Bangladesh had asked Indian authorities to “expedite their efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.”

India has previously said Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition is “under examination.” The development comes as the two governments have been discussing a possible visit by Rahman, with August 20-25 emerging as a potential window. Reports have suggested that officials were considering dates around August 20-21 or August 21-22, although the visit has not been formally confirmed.

The proposed trip would carry particular significance given the strained state of India-Bangladesh relations since Hasina was forced from power during a student-led uprising in August 2024 and subsequently moved to India. She remains in India and faces a death sentence in Bangladesh after being convicted of crimes against humanity. Hasina has continued to make public statements from India, something Dhaka has objected to. Karim said her recent media interactions had further complicated the atmosphere surrounding Rahman’s proposed visit.

The issue of Hasina's extradition has already featured in recent diplomatic contacts. During a meeting between Rahman and Indian high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Bangladesh expressed hope that India would speed up the extradition process, according to the Bangladesh prime minister's office.

At the same time, India and Bangladesh have been exploring a broader reset in bilateral ties. Issues likely to feature in discussions include border management, trade, visa normalisation and water-sharing, while India is expected to raise security concerns, minority protection and Dhaka's growing ties with China and Pakistan.

Rahman has already travelled to Malaysia and China since taking office but has not yet made the traditional first overseas visit to India. His government has also signalled a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy focused on sovereignty and non-interference, while saying it wants mutually beneficial relations with India and other countries.