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Politics
Bangladesh says Hasina, Quader handover important condition for improving India ties
The Bangladesh government on Wednesday said the handover of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others currently in India is an important condition for improving bilateral ties with New Delhi
The Bangladesh government on Wednesday said the handover of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and others currently in India is an important condition for improving bilateral ties with New Delhi.
Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Zahed Ur Rahman, said, as reported by Prothom Alo, that Dhaka expects India to consider the issue as part of efforts to establish a “working engagement” between the two neighbouring countries.
His remarks came a day after Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Quader and six others to death in a case linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising.
Speaking at a government press briefing in Dhaka, Zahed was asked whether Bangladesh wanted Quader to be handed over to the country following the tribunal verdict.
“We want Sheikh Hasina. So why would we not want Obaidul Quader and others?” he said.
He then urged the Indian government to treat the handover as an important condition for improving bilateral relations.
Hasina, Quader issue raised with Indian envoy
Zahed said that the issue had also figured in his meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in Dhaka.
“I tried to convey our position on Sheikh Hasina and the others from my side,” he said, adding that India should consider the matter for a “working engagement” with Bangladesh.
Hasina has been staying in India since her ouster from power in Bangladesh. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her return, while the issue has remained one of the major points of friction between the two countries.
The latest demand comes as New Delhi and Dhaka are attempting to navigate a new phase in their relationship following Tarique Rahman’s return to power.
The development also comes days after Rahman did not travel to New Delhi for the 18th Brics Summit, despite India having invited him to attend the outreach session in his capacity as chair of Bimstec. India has separately invited him for a bilateral visit.
Bangladesh had earlier said that Rahman’s first visit to India should take place as a bilateral engagement when conditions were favourable. New Delhi has confirmed that two separate invitations were extended to the Bangladesh prime minister, one for the Brics outreach session as Bimstec chair and another for a bilateral visit.
The question of Rahman’s India visit is significant as the two sides also face other outstanding issues, including water-sharing arrangements (the Ganga Water Treaty is set to come for renewal in December and a large share of Bangladeshi population depends on the river's water to meet their needs) and broader trade and security concerns.