No policy decision yet on PM's India visit: Foreign Minister

No policy decision has been taken yet regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible visit to India, said Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. He made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, August 10. Earlier in the morning, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi had paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Secretariat.

The Foreign Minister said invitations have been extended to the Prime Minister from the Indian government and BIMSTEC. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent an invitation on the day his government was formed. However, the government has not yet made any policy decision on whether the Prime Minister will visit India. The matter will be considered at the appropriate time.

Dr Khalilur Rahman said the morning meeting also discussed the process of repatriating convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India. Bangladesh has urged India to expedite the extradition process. Bangladesh hopes India will respond positively and responsibly on this matter.

The meeting also focused on the repatriation of suspected accused in the Osman Hadi murder case. The Foreign Minister said all necessary evidence and documents regarding the accused arrested in India have been provided to Delhi. Noting that the matter is extremely sensitive for Bangladesh, he requested their swift handover.

The Foreign Minister also criticised Sheikh Hasina's recent political remarks from New Delhi and her statements regarding Bangladesh's judiciary. He said the judiciary is one of the three pillars of the state. Bangladesh's independent court has convicted Sheikh Hasina. If she has any statements to make, she should come to court and make them. But she is demeaning the country's judiciary and the Indian government is giving her that opportunity.

The Foreign Minister further said Bangladesh expects that no government should allow any opportunity to disparage Bangladesh's state institutions and infrastructure. He expressed hope that after discussions with the Indian High Commissioner, such incidents would not recur.

The meeting also addressed issues such as border killings and "push-ins." Emphasis was placed on resolving these issues quickly through regular bilateral meetings alongside Prime Minister-level discussions.