Dhaka seeks Hasina’s extradition, India eases visas

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalil Rehman reiterated his demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a two-day visit to India, marking the first time that the new Bangladesh Nationalist government led by Prime Minister Tariq Rahman has formally raised the issue with Indian authorities. Khalil met Jaishankar and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri, who said he discussed bilateral cooperation in the energy sector with the visiting ministers. Jaishankar told Bangladeshi ministers that India will relax visas for Bangladeshis in the coming weeks, especially medical and business visas, Dhaka reported. Dhaka is likely to follow the procedure laid down by the court in the Hasina case and not allow it to disrupt ongoing efforts to rebuild relations. However, the fact that Khalil has called for the extradition of Hasina and her interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan – both sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crime Tribunal – suggests the new government will not ignore the domestic impact Hasina’s continued presence in India could have, as Dhaka said in a readout of its action. Khalil’s visit is the first ministerial visit between the two sides since Rahman took over as prime minister in February. Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah recently warned against ignoring the country’s “antipathy” towards Hasina and other issues such as the killing of Bangladeshi nationals at the border by Indian security forces. Khalil also thanked the Indian government for arresting the suspect in the murder of young man Shahid Osman Hadi, Dhaka reported. “Both parties agreed to repatriate the arrested persons to Bangladesh in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the extradition treaty between the two countries,” Bangladesh informed. Hadi’s killing sparked anti-India protests in the country. Khalil met with NSA Ajit Doval on Tuesday. According to an Indian briefing, Jaishankar reiterated India’s desire to engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral relations when he met Khalil on Wednesday. Both sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership between the two countries through relevant bilateral mechanisms. A subsequent formal meeting is expected to be held at the earliest opportunity,” the MEA said in a statement. The Bangladeshi minister thanked Puri for the recent diesel supply from India to Bangladesh and requested for increased supply of diesel and fertilizers, which, according to Bangladesh, the Indian minister agreed to consider. According to reports in Bangladesh, Khalil said that Dhaka under the leadership of Tariq Rehman will pursue foreign policy based on the principle of “Bangladesh First” and based on mutual trust, respect and mutual benefit. Sources in Dhaka said: “During the discussions, both sides emphasized the importance of advancing bilateral relations between the two countries in all aspects. They also discussed key regional and international issues.”