Bangladesh Links PM Rahman's India Visit to Hasina Extradition and Hadi Killers' Handover

Bangladesh has stated that the proposed visit of its Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India is unlikely to proceed unless New Delhi acts on the extradition of former premier Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives. The statement came from the Bangladeshi foreign ministry on Sunday.

Officials from both nations have been in contact for several weeks regarding the possibility of a bilateral visit by Rahman to New Delhi, according to the ministry. However, the process has been “vitiated” by a public press interaction involving Hasina in New Delhi on August 5, said foreign ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim.

Karim said Dhaka has requested Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and also to hand over the accused killers of political activist Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with the bilateral extradition treaty. “We are awaiting their response,” he added.

The two individuals accused of killing Hadi were arrested in March by the special task force of the West Bengal police from Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district. Bangladesh reiterated its “Bangladesh First” policy and commitment to friendly bilateral relations with neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference and mutual benefit.

India has clarified that the press conference involving Hasina and Bangladeshi officials had no connection to the Indian government. On the extradition request, India has previously stated that it remains “under examination.”

Hasina was removed from power in August 2024 after a student-led uprising turned into an anti-government movement. Following her government’s fall, she fled to India, where she has remained since.