Bangladesh has stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not travel to India unless the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina moves forward, according to a report from The Hindu published on Sunday.
The Hindu reports that Bangladeshi officials said a "propitious environment" must be created before any visit by Rahman to New Delhi can take place. The condition is tied directly to the status of Hasina, who is currently in India, with Dhaka seeking her return to face legal proceedings.
The report indicates that Bangladesh has laid out two specific requirements for Rahman's potential trip to India. The first is the creation of a conducive diplomatic atmosphere, and the second is the expedition of Hasina's extradition process, as detailed by The Hindu and echoed by other outlets including NDTV and ThePrint.
According to The Indian Express, the question of Hasina's extradition will ultimately be decided by Indian courts. The outlet also noted that diplomatic talks are ongoing to potentially change the current course of action regarding her status in India.
Telegraph India similarly reported that Bangladesh is seeking a "conducive environment" from the Indian government to facilitate a possible visit by Rahman to Delhi. The repeated emphasis from Dhaka suggests that bilateral relations between the two nations are currently strained over the issue.
The situation remains fluid, with Indian judicial authorities holding the key to the extradition request. Observers will be watching whether New Delhi signals any willingness to expedite the legal process, which could clear the path for a high-level meeting between the two governments.
