Bangladesh says PM will not visit India until Hasina extradited

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, expressed on Sunday that he will not visit India until the Indian government extradites Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister who fled Bangladesh during a political uprising in 2024. The two nations have experienced tense relations since Hasina's government was toppled by violent protests, leading her to seek refuge in neighboring India, where she currently resides.

Hasina faces the death penalty in Bangladesh after being found guilty of crimes against humanity, and her home country has persistently demanded her extradition.

A spokesperson for Bangladesh's foreign ministry, A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, downplayed rumors of a potential visit by Rahman to India next week, stating that the conditions for such a trip must be established first. "To this end, we have urged the Indian authorities to expedite their efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives," Karim said during a press conference.

In recent weeks, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met with Rahman, sparking speculation about a potential breakthrough in relations. Despite these negotiations, Karim emphasized that the situation has been complicated by Hasina's continued public statements and media appearances, even though she is currently a convicted criminal in crimes against humanity.

Hasina, a prominent pro-democracy leader, made a pledge earlier this month to return to Bangladesh in December, regardless of the consequences, such as imprisonment. Karim further unveiled Bangladesh's foreign policy approach, which prioritizes the country's sovereignty and refrains from interference in other nations' affairs, while simultaneously seeking mutually advantageous relationships with India and other countries.