State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India at an appropriate time after necessary progress is made in bilateral discussions, stressing that Bangladesh’s national interests will remain the top priority.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar.
Kobir said Bangladesh wants to maintain a positive and effective relationship with India as a close neighbour.
“We want a positive relationship with India. Why wouldn’t we? They are our neighbours. We should have a working relationship.”
However, he stressed that Bangladesh would not compromise its national interests in dealing with India or any other country.
Regarding the timing of a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, the state minister said there was no need to rush a head-of-government-level visit.
He said the visit could take place whenever the necessary groundwork and substantive discussions between the two countries are completed.
“If we reach an agreement based on our national interests tomorrow, we can go next week, or the week after. There is no rush here,” Kobir said.
He added that a prime ministerial visit requires adequate preparation and meaningful discussions beforehand, saying Bangladesh and India are currently working to establish that groundwork.
Hasina extradition issue
Regarding the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Kobir said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty and the issue remains part of ongoing bilateral engagement.
He said Hasina fled to India following the July 2024 mass uprising, while judicial proceedings in several cases against her have already concluded and others remain pending.
Kobir said bringing back Hasina and other alleged offenders who fled to India remains an issue linked to the expectations and sentiments of the people of Bangladesh.
“There are more criminals who have fled to India. This is a natural demand of the people of Bangladesh and a matter of their sentiment. We want to engage with India by giving priority to this process,” he said.
