DHAKA, Aug. 10 (Alliance News): Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday called for creating a “conducive environment” to strengthen relations with neighbouring India, while urging New Delhi to expedite the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in exile in India.
The remarks came during Rahman’s first official meeting with India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, since assuming office, signalling Dhaka’s intention to improve bilateral ties while pressing unresolved political issues.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Rahman stressed the importance of fostering conditions that would enable both countries to move forward with stronger cooperation.
“He emphasised the need to create a conducive environment to further advance the bilateral relations between the two countries,” the statement said.
The meeting also focused on Bangladesh’s longstanding request for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, with Dhaka urging India to accelerate the legal process.
Hasina has been living in India since the collapse of her government in August 2024. She is currently facing multiple legal proceedings in Bangladesh and was sentenced to death in November 2025.
The extradition issue has remained one of the most sensitive points in relations between the two neighbouring countries since Rahman’s government assumed power six months ago.
Bangladesh renewed its demand only days after Hasina made her first public media appearance since leaving the country. During an online audio conference, she announced her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, drawing renewed political attention to her continued stay and activities in India.
The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly criticised the event, saying that allowing Hasina to address supporters from Indian territory had deeply hurt the people of Bangladesh and sparked widespread outrage.
India has maintained that Bangladesh’s extradition request is being examined in accordance with its domestic legal and judicial procedures.
Following the meeting, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Bangladesh in a “positive, constructive and forward-looking manner” to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Despite differences over the extradition issue, both countries continue to maintain close economic, trade and regional ties, with officials on both sides expressing interest in sustaining dialogue and cooperation.
