Dhaka has for now canceled the possibility of Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s visit to Delhi. The foreign ministry formally stated Sunday that “a favorable environment needs to be created for this visit.”
Among the two conditions set for creating a favorable environment for the Delhi visit are the prompt return of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and the handover to Bangladesh of the killers accused in the murder of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi.
The foreign ministry spokesperson said: “We have requested Indian authorities to promptly return Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty, and to hand over to Bangladesh the killers accused in the murder of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. Bangladesh awaits their response.”
Reaffirming the government’s firm stance on its “Bangladesh First” policy, he said: “At this time, the government reaffirms that we will continue our ‘Bangladesh First’ policy of developing friendly bilateral relations with our neighbors and all other countries, based on sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and mutual interest.”
Bangladesh has already sent India the necessary legal documents seeking the return of those accused in the Hadi murder case. Last July, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the required documents for the extradition of three suspects, including chief accused Faisal Karim Masud, had been submitted to Indian authorities. He said they are currently going through legal proceedings in India, and that under the Bangladesh-India extradition treaty, there is scope to hand them over to Bangladesh even while trial proceedings are ongoing, if necessary. Chief suspect Faisal Karim Masud and his accomplice Alamgir had earlier been arrested in India in connection with the Hadi murder case. Bangladesh wants to bring them back to advance the case’s judicial proceedings.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report