Bangladesh sets Hasina extradition as condition for PM’s India visit

Bangladesh has told India it must create a "propitious environment" for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit, including the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh foreign ministry said on Sunday. Spokesperson A.K.M. Shahidul Karim said Dhaka has asked India to expedite action on extradition requests for Hasina and others convicted by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. India has said the request is under examination.

The remarks come as officials from both sides have been in touch for weeks over Rahman's first bilateral visit to India since taking office in February. The process was complicated by Hasina's virtual press appearance in New Delhi on August 5, which Bangladesh said hurt bilateral ties. India's MEA clarified it had no involvement in the event. Rahman met Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi last week and sought Hasina's extradition. India has invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and for the BRICS summit outreach session in September, but no dates have been confirmed.