The Bangladesh government has given a big hint regarding the proposed visit of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman to India. Bangladesh tried to impose conditions before Tariq Rahman came to India. Bangladesh on Sunday said its Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s visit to India is not possible unless New Delhi takes forward the process of extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives wanted by Dhaka.
Bangladesh placed the condition
According to the report of Prothom Alo, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim has requested the Indian authorities to immediately return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other absconding criminals under the bilateral extradition treaty and hand over the accused in the murder of Usman Hadi to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh said – need for favorable environment
According to a statement from Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry, officials from both countries have been in touch for several weeks about the possibility of Rahman’s bilateral visit to New Delhi. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim said the discussions were influenced by Hasina’s public speech in New Delhi on August 5. Karim said, “We believe that it is necessary to create a conducive environment for this visit.
Controversy increased due to Sheikh Hasina’s press conference
The statement further said, “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.” Bangladesh said the process related to Rahman’s possible visit has been “tainted” by Hasina’s open press conference in New Delhi, despite her having been convicted of crimes against humanity by Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal.
Tariq Rehman invited for BRICS summit
This statement comes amid uncertainty over Tariq Rehman’s visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit to be held on September 12-13. The Ministry of External Affairs had said on August 14, “We have invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. We have also invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit.”