Bangladesh Signals No Rush for PM Rahman’s India Visit; Jaishankar Stresses Mutual Interest

Bangladesh has said there is "no rush" for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India, even as it seeks a positive relationship with New Delhi. The statement, made by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Saturday, comes amid continued uncertainty over the proposed visit and fresh strains in bilateral ties.

Kobir, who was appointed state minister on Friday, told the state-run BSS news agency that Rahman's trip would take place at an "appropriate time" after sufficient progress in bilateral discussions. He emphasized that Dhaka would prioritize its national interests in any engagement.

"We want a positive relationship with India. Why wouldn't we? They are our neighbours. We should have a working relationship," Kobir said, adding, "But it has to be done by prioritising Bangladesh's national interests." He said there was no need to rush a head-of-government-level meeting, but noted that if an agreement based on national interests is reached, the visit could happen "next week, or the week after."

Kobir's remarks reflect Dhaka's cautious approach, which has been shaped by the fallout from the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Hasina fled to India and has since been sentenced to death in absentia in Bangladesh for crimes against humanity. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, while New Delhi says the request is under examination.

Earlier, on August 16, a senior Bangladesh foreign ministry official, A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, said that a "propitious environment" must be created for the visit, and urged India to expedite the extradition of Hasina and other fugitives. Karim also noted that the process had been "vitiated" by Hasina's open media interactions.

India has invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and to attend the BRICS summit outreach session in New Delhi on September 12-13. However, plans for a visit next week were reportedly called off at the last minute, with back-channel talks ongoing.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, addressed the India-Bangladesh relationship. He said that any relationship can work only if it meets the "test of mutual interest," and that ties between neighbours cannot be one-sided.

"I am not expecting neighbours to only do what is in my interest. There has to be a reasonable degree of my recognising and respecting what is in their interest," Jaishankar said. He declined to comment directly on Dhaka's extradition demand, but noted that when the two sides find "common ground," relationships work smoothly.

Jaishankar also described Pakistan as "unique" for its systematic use of terrorism against a neighbour, and discussed India-China relations, saying that border stability is a prerequisite for improved ties.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir earlier told BSS that the possibility of Rahman's visit remains "slim" unless an appropriate environment based on mutual trust is created, along with a "dignified invitation" from New Delhi. He also expressed resentment that Hasina has been allowed to use Indian territory for political activities, which India denies endorsing.

The visit, seen as crucial for resetting ties, remains uncertain as both sides continue to navigate the sensitive issue of Hasina's presence in India and the extradition request.