Bangladesh seeks ‘propitious environment’ for PM’s India visit; Hasina, BRICS row among issues

Bangladesh on Sunday said a “propitious environment needs to be created” by India for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit New Delhi, linking the proposed trip to Dhaka’s pending extradition requests for deposed premier Sheikh Hasina, according to a report by state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

The development comes amid uncertainty over Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit’s outreach session on September 12 and 13.

Dhaka links visit to extradition request

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said officials from the two countries had been in contact for several weeks over the possibility of a bilateral visit by Rahman to India.

“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 was quoted as saying by BSS.

Rahman met Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi on August 10. During the meeting, he sought the extradition of Hasina and followed up on formal requests already sent to New Delhi.

However, there has been no clarity so far on whether Rahman will travel to India.

Hasina’s virtual address adds to tensions

Karim said the process had been adversely affected by a virtual press conference addressed by Hasina from New Delhi on August 5.

“We have made our position clear on this matter,” he said. “To this end, we have requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on our request to extradite Sheikh Hasina.”

Relations between India and Bangladesh have remained strained following Hasina’s virtual media interaction.

During the address, Hasina said she was determined to return to Bangladesh in December to put the country on the “right track” by restoring democracy, despite the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence.

The Bangladesh government expressed outrage over the event, saying it had hurt the sentiments of its people and could affect efforts to improve ties with India. Dhaka also described Hasina as an “absconding, convicted genocider”.

India, however, distanced itself from the event.

India says it had no role in media event

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on August 7 that it had no role in the media event involving Hasina and did not endorse any remarks made at the forum about the Bangladesh government.

Hasina was ousted in August 2024 after violent student-led protests and fled to India. In November 2025, a special tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced her to death in absentia over alleged “crimes against humanity” during the crackdown on protesters.

Dhaka has since repeatedly sought her extradition.

New Delhi has said the request is under examination in accordance with applicable law and established legal procedures.

The Bangladesh government maintains that Hasina must surrender and face the law if she returns to the country.

Dhaka also seeks suspects in Hadi killing

Karim on Sunday also reiterated Bangladesh’s demand for the extradition of suspects linked to the killing of student leader Osman Hadi.

Hadi, a prominent activist during the 2024 student-led movement that ousted Hasina, was killed in an attack in December 2025. His death triggered renewed political tensions in Bangladesh.

The extradition issue gained significance after three suspects in the case were arrested in India in March. They are currently in judicial custody in West Bengal.

India has agreed to extradite the suspects to Bangladesh following due process.

Rahman also raised the issue of the alleged killers’ extradition during his August 10 meeting with the Indian envoy, according to the report.

Dispute over BRICS invitation

The uncertainty over Rahman’s India visit has also coincided with differing descriptions of the BRICS invitation.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said after the meeting with the Indian envoy that the BRICS invitation was not extended personally to the prime minister but was instead “addressed to the chairperson of BIMSTEC”.

BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Bangladesh currently holds the organisation’s chairmanship.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs, however, said on August 14 that Bangladesh’s prime minister had been invited for both a bilateral visit and the outreach session of the BRICS Summit.

“We have extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. We've also extended an invitation to the prime minister of Bangladesh for a visit to India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit,” the ministry said.

India-Bangladesh ties face uneasy reset

The developments come against the backdrop of an uneasy reset in India-Bangladesh relations following Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party coming to power in February.

Relations had already deteriorated during the preceding interim government, with several issues affecting ties.

These include Dhaka’s demand for Hasina’s extradition, concerns over the security of Hindu minorities, border-related matters and Bangladesh’s foreign policy tilt towards China.

Karim said Bangladesh would continue to pursue its “Bangladesh First” policy while seeking friendly 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,” he said.