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Bangladesh seeks better diplomatic climate before possible India visit

15:15

By: Sahili Aya

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Bangladesh is seeking improved diplomatic conditions before agreeing to a high-level visit to India, as Dhaka continues to press New Delhi over the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.

The two neighbouring countries have been discussing a possible visit by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as part of efforts to repair relations that deteriorated sharply following Hasina’s departure for India in 2024.

Dhaka calls for a more favourable environment

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said Sunday that discussions over Rahman’s possible trip to India were continuing, but that the necessary diplomatic conditions had yet to be established.

“A propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” Karim said, without providing further details on what Dhaka would require before the trip could take place.

The comments indicate that the proposed visit remains closely linked to wider disputes between the two governments, rather than being treated solely as a bilateral diplomatic engagement.

Sheikh Hasina remains at the center of the dispute

One of the most sensitive issues between Dhaka and New Delhi is the fate of Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh for India in 2024 after a major uprising against her government.

Bangladesh has formally asked India to extradite the former leader as part of its efforts to address outstanding legal and political issues.

Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 after being convicted over allegations that she ordered a deadly crackdown on the student-led uprising. She has rejected the accusations and described the proceedings as politically motivated.

Bangladesh says it is still waiting for an official response from India regarding its extradition request.

Efforts to repair strained relations

Relations between Bangladesh and India have faced significant strain since Hasina’s departure. Her close relationship with New Delhi during her years in power had been an important element of bilateral ties, making her continued presence in India particularly sensitive for Bangladesh’s current authorities.

The proposed visit by Rahman is being discussed against this difficult backdrop.

For Dhaka, progress on outstanding issues, including the extradition request, appears to be an important component of creating the conditions for a successful diplomatic reset. For New Delhi, the issue presents a complex challenge involving bilateral relations, legal considerations and the political consequences of Hasina’s continued presence in India.

A potentially important diplomatic test

A visit by Rahman to India could provide an opportunity for both governments to address accumulated disagreements and establish a new framework for bilateral relations.

However, Bangladesh’s latest comments suggest that the timing of such a visit remains uncertain. Dhaka wants the broader diplomatic environment to improve before the trip can move forward, while the extradition dispute remains one of the most prominent obstacles between the two neighbours.

The coming weeks of discussions could therefore determine whether the proposed visit becomes a concrete step toward reconciliation or remains stalled by unresolved political tensions.