Tarique Rahman’s govt attached tough conditions for New Delhi prior to his possible bilateral

Tarique Rahman’s govt attached tough conditions for New Delhi prior to his possible bilateral visit to India

DHAKA/DELHI: Amid mounting domestic pressure from hardliners and opposition Jamaat-e-Islami ally NCP, PM Tarique Rahman’s govt Sunday attached tough conditions for New Delhi prior to his possible bilateral visit to India at PM Modi’s invitation – “act expeditiously on extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other criminal fugitives, and help create a ‘propitious environment’ for him to make the visit”.

The invitation to Tarique for both Brics and the bilateral visit stands and it’s for Dhaka to decide about the timing of the visit, according to Indian govt sources. Reading out a statement, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim said, “Officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch…on the possibility of a bilateral visit by PM to India. “This process was vitiated by the open press interaction in New Delhi on Aug 5 by Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted by International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity,” he said, “We have made our position clear on this matter. We are awaiting their response,” he said. “Govt is under pressure on a number of domestic issues, including energy crisis while Hasina’s extradition issue remains unresolved…the relations may even get stalled until Dec….” a political source said.

However, the latest statement has effectively ruled out a bilateral visit this week that was under discussion. We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit. “…Bangladesh requested Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with their bilateral extradition treaty.