Tarique’s Delhi Visit Still Undecided, Says Press Secretary

There has been no final decision yet on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi, his press secretary said on Friday, despite Indian media reports that he is scheduled to visit the Indian capital from August 23 to 25.

The proposed visit, which would be Tarique Rahman’s first trip to India since taking office after the February election, has been under discussion between Bangladesh and India for several weeks.

“There has been no final decision yet regarding the visit,” Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh told Reuters.

He also said Dhaka was waiting for New Delhi’s response regarding its request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives wanted in Bangladesh.

Indian media had earlier reported that Tarique Rahman would visit New Delhi from August 23 to 25, but the Bangladeshi government has not officially confirmed the dates.

Asked about the reported visit at a regular briefing, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal declined to comment.

Since taking office, the six-month-old BNP-led government under Tarique Rahman has sought to maintain good relations with India, despite several outstanding issues between the two neighbours.

A key issue is the presence of Sheikh Hasina in India. She left Bangladesh following the student-led mass uprising that forced her government from power and has remained in India since then. Dhaka has repeatedly asked New Delhi to return her, saying she faces legal proceedings in Bangladesh. India has said it is examining the request.

Relations have also come under fresh strain following remarks Sheikh Hasina made to journalists last week. The Bangladesh government strongly condemned her remarks and indicated that a more favourable diplomatic environment would be necessary for any high-level engagement with India.

Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia last November over allegations that she ordered a deadly crackdown on protesters during the uprising. She has denied the allegations, describing the case as politically motivated.

She has also told journalists that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December.

Against this backdrop, any visit by Tarique Rahman to New Delhi is expected to draw considerable attention, particularly over the issues of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition and the broader future of Bangladesh-India relations.