Bangladesh has linked the proposed India visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying a "propitious environment" needs to be created before the bilateral trip can go ahead.
Speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said officials from both countries had been in touch for several weeks over the possibility of a bilateral visit by Rahman to India.
However, he said the process had been affected by an open press interaction by Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.
"Officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch with each other for several weeks on the possibility of a bilateral visit by Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr Tarique Rahman to India," Karim said.
"However, this process was vitiated by the open press interaction in New Delhi on 5th August by Sheikh Hasina who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. We have made our position clear on this matter," he added.
Karim said Dhaka believes conditions need to be favourable for Rahman's proposed visit and has asked India to act on its extradition requests.
"We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit," he said.
"To this end, we have requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on our request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with our bilateral extradition treaty. We are awaiting their response."
The comments link the proposed visit by Rahman to two demands from Dhaka - the extradition of Hasina and other fugitives, and the handing over of those accused of killing Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.
Bangladesh has said it wants India to act on the requests in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson also reiterated Dhaka's broader approach to its relations with other countries, including its neighbours.
"We reiterate that we will continue to pursue our 'Bangladesh First' policy to promote friendly bilateral relations with other countries, including our neighbours, on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and mutual benefit," Karim said.
The comments come as Dhaka and New Delhi remain in contact over Rahman's proposed bilateral visit, with Bangladesh now awaiting India's response to its extradition requests.
Source: India Today