DHAKA: Bangladesh will continue to advance on issues of mutual interest with India while work goes on for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Wednesday, as his country waits for a response from New Delhi on its Dec 23 request to hand over the ousted PM.
The request for Hasina’s extradition, which was made through a note verbale, followed an arrest warrant issued earlier for her alleged involvement in “crimes against humanity” to suppress mass protests that led to the downfall of her Awami League govt in Aug last year.
Responding to questions about Bangladesh-India relations, particularly regarding Dhaka’s pending request, at a briefing for diplomatic correspondents, Hossain said, “This is one of the issues. We have many issues of mutual interest on bilateral fronts. I think both will continue side by side. We will advance with all these issues.”
The Bangladesh foreign ministry has said the 2013 extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India does not specify a time frame for responses.
Outlining Bangladesh’s key diplomatic objectives for 2025, he emphasised the importance of relations with India, China and the US. “Our relationship with these three countries is important,” he said, adding that Bangladesh wants mutually beneficial partnerships with each of them. Hossain also announced plans to pay a bilateral visit to China soon, didn’t elaborate on the agenda.
On the Rohingya crisis, Hossain acknowledged the complexities of the issue, but reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.”This is a very challenging issue given the ground realities, but it remains a top priority,” he said.