New Delhi. Bangladesh has said there is no “rush” in Prime Minister Tariq Rahman's visit to India and Dhaka wants positive relations with New Delhi, but it will not compromise its national interests for this. Bangladesh's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said this in Dhaka on Saturday. He said that Rahman's visit to India will take place only after there is sufficient progress in bilateral talks between the two countries and necessary preparations are completed. At the same time, the issue of Sheikh Hasina's extradition remains an important topic in the ongoing talks between the two countries. In such a situation, Rahman's possible visit to India is being considered as an important step towards melting the ice in the relations between the two countries.
This comment of Kabir has come at a time when the situation regarding Prime Minister Tariq Rehman's visit to New Delhi is not yet clear. India has also invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit as well as to attend the outreach session of the upcoming BRICS summit to be held on September 12-13. This possible visit is being considered very important for bringing the relations between the two countries back on track. Relations between India and Bangladesh had deteriorated significantly after the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August 2024.
She went to India after Hasina government was removed from power. After this, Dhaka has demanded his extradition from India. New Delhi says that this request is being reviewed under the relevant legal processes. Kabir said, 'We want positive relations with India. Why wouldn't we want that? They are our neighbours. We should maintain a working relationship with them. Bangladesh's national interests will be given priority in relations with any country, including India, and Dhaka will not compromise with its interests at any cost. Kabir is an advisor to the Prime Minister and was appointed Minister of State for External Affairs on Friday.
When asked about the timing of Tariq Rehman's visit to India, Kabir told BSS that there is no need to rush the meeting between the top leadership of the two countries. If we reach an agreement tomorrow based on our national interests, we can go to India next week or the week after that. There is no hurry here. The Minister of State made it clear that adequate preparation, concrete negotiations and necessary groundwork is necessary for the Prime Minister's level visit. According to him, it is necessary to first have adequate level discussion and consensus between the two countries.
Tension in India-Bangladesh relations once again increased in recent days when Sheikh Hasina held a virtual media interaction from New Delhi on August 5. During this, she said that she is determined to return to the country in December and wants to bring Bangladesh on the “right path” by restoring democracy. He also said he could be at risk of facing prison or the death penalty. Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Bangladesh in November 2025 for alleged crimes against humanity. The charges relate to actions that took place during student-led protests that ultimately ousted his government from power.
Bangladesh expressed strong displeasure over Sheikh Hasina's media talk on August 5. Dhaka said the event had hurt the sentiments of its people and could affect efforts to improve India-Bangladesh relations. India distanced itself from the entire incident, saying that New Delhi had no role in the event and had not supported Hasina's comments. After this incident, Dhaka once again reiterated the demand for Sheikh Hasina's extradition. Bangladesh even hinted that the issue could also be linked to Prime Minister Tariq Rahman's proposed visit to India.
Kabir on Saturday said that an extradition treaty exists between India and Bangladesh and the extradition of Sheikh Hasina remains a part of the ongoing talks between the two countries. His remarks came on a day when India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that to make any relationship successful, it must meet the criterion of 'mutual interest'. This is being considered an important comment in the context of India's relations with its neighboring countries, especially Bangladesh.