Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office in February and has since visited Malaysia and China, departing from the tradition of Bangladeshi leaders heading to India for their first overseas trip. File
| Photo Credit: AP
Bangladesh said on Sunday (August 16, 2026) that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not visit India until New Delhi extradited Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi former premier who fled during a 2024 uprising.
The countries have had a strained relationship since deadly anti-government protests brought down Ms. Hasina’s government and prompted her to escape to neighbouring India, where she remains.
She faces the death penalty in Bangladesh after being convicted of crimes against humanity, and Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday (August 16, 2026), Foreign Ministry official A.K.M. Shahidul Karim played down media speculation about a possible trip by Mr. Rahman to India next week.
“We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” he told reporters. “To this end, we have urged the Indian authorities to expedite their efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.”
India has said Bangladesh’s extradition request is “under examination”.
Mr. Rahman took office in February and has since visited Malaysia and China, departing from the tradition of Bangladeshi leaders heading to India for their first overseas trip.
India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Mr. Rahman last week, fuelling speculation over a possible breakthrough.
Officials from Bangladesh and India have been in contact in recent weeks about the possibility of a visit by Mr. Rahman, Mr. Karim said. “But the process has been vitiated by Sheikh Hasina’s open media interactions, despite her being a convict in crimes against humanity.”
Ms. Hasina, a former pro-democracy leader whom critics said grew increasingly autocratic during her 15-year rule, vowed this month that she would return to Bangladesh in December even if it meant imprisonment.
Mr. Karim also said the government would pursue a “Bangladesh First” foreign policy rooted in sovereignty and non-interference while seeking mutually beneficial ties with India and other countries.
Published – August 16, 2026 03:55 pm IST
