Dhaka, August 16: Bangladesh has said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent political appearance from New Delhi has complicated efforts to create a favourable atmosphere for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India, highlighting continuing strains in bilateral ties.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said Dhaka had already conveyed its concerns to New Delhi and stressed the need for a conducive environment for the visit.The latest disagreement follows Hasina’s participation through an audio link in an event organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi on August 5.
During the interaction, she criticised developments in Bangladesh and said she planned to return to the country in December despite the possibility of arrest.Dhaka had earlier cautioned New Delhi against allowing Hasina to use Indian territory for political activities, arguing that such activities could adversely affect bilateral relations.India subsequently clarified that the event was organised by a private media organisation and that the Indian government had no role in it.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said New Delhi did not endorse remarks made at the event concerning Bangladesh’s duly constituted government.The issue resurfaced during a meeting between Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on August 10.
According to Bangladesh’s prime minister’s press wing, Dhaka reiterated its request that India expedite Hasina’s extradition.Trivedi, however, maintained a positive public stance on bilateral relations and said India’s invitation to Rahman to visit the country remained open. He said both sides had issues to resolve but expressed confidence that they could be addressed through dialogue.Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, reiterated the government’s “Bangladesh First” approach to foreign policy.
It said Dhaka would seek friendly relations with other countries, including its neighbours, while upholding sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual interests.The Hasina issue has become particularly sensitive for the Rahman government as it seeks to balance its relations with India against growing domestic criticism of New Delhi.
Concerns in Bangladesh have also been fuelled by controversial remarks by some Indian political leaders, reports concerning activities along the India-Bangladesh border and Hasina’s continued political statements while staying in India.Despite the tensions, both sides have indicated that they remain interested in maintaining bilateral engagement.
The immediate challenge for the two governments is to manage the extradition dispute and political sensitivities surrounding Hasina while preventing the issue from further affecting broader cooperation between the neighbouring countries.
