NEW DELHI: Bangladesh has not yet decided whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India, his press secretary said on Friday, following Indian media reports that he was scheduled to travel to New Delhi from August 23 to 25.
Bangladesh and India have been discussing Rahman’s first visit to New Delhi since he assumed office in February. The two neighbours have been seeking to improve relations, which have remained strained since the 2024 removal of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power.
Hasina fled to India after student-led protests brought an end to her long rule and has remained there in exile. Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition, while India has said it is reviewing Dhaka’s request.
“No decision has yet been made on the visit,” Rahman’s press secretary A. M. Saleh said, adding that Dhaka was waiting for India’s response on the extradition of Hasina and “other fugitive criminals”.
India’s foreign ministry declined to comment on the reported visit. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was no comment to offer during a regular media briefing.
Rahman’s government, which has been in power for around six months, has sought to maintain positive ties with India. However, Dhaka indicated last week that a more favourable diplomatic atmosphere would be necessary before the visit could take place.
The comments came shortly after Hasina spoke to journalists, a move that drew criticism from the Bangladeshi government and added to tensions surrounding relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
