PM Tarique Rahman will not visit India without ‘conducive environment’

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not travel to India unless a “conducive environment” is created and Bangladesh sees progress on several key issues ahead of his possible visit, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday (August 16).

Foreign Ministry spokesperson and Additional Foreign Secretary A K M Shahidul Karim told a media briefing in Dhaka that Bangladesh expects progress on the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the return of fugitives accused in the murder of Osman Hadi and other pending cases before the prime minister undertakes the proposed India visit.

“Bangladesh is waiting for a conducive environment” on these issues, Karim said, adding that Dhaka has conveyed its position to New Delhi ahead of the possible visit.

He said the government wants the return of Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, as well as other fugitives facing criminal charges in Bangladesh.

The remarks came amid ongoing discussions over a possible visit by Tarique Rahman to India. The foreign ministry did not give any specific timeline for the visit.