India has extended two separate invitations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, inviting him for an official bilateral visit as well as to participate in the outreach segment of the upcoming BRICS summit.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the invitations during a weekly briefing on Tuesday.
The announcement follows a meeting on Monday between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, where the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest.
According to Jaiswal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited PM Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit’s outreach session, scheduled for 12 and 13 September in Delhi, in his capacity as the BIMSTEC chairperson.
India had previously extended an invitation for a bilateral visit in February, shortly after Tarique assumed office. Diplomatic sources in New Delhi suggest that “South Block” is actively seeking to facilitate the visit.
The briefing also addressed the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains a fugitive following a death sentence for crimes against humanity. Bangladesh has repeatedly demanded her extradition, alongside the handover of those involved in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman confirmed that all requested data regarding the Osman Hadi case has been supplied to India.
Addressing these issues, Jaiswal stated that India’s position on Sheikh Hasina’s extradition is clear and is being examined according to established procedures. He added that the extradition of the Osman Hadi killers is a legal matter currently under review and investigation.
Relations have faced recent friction following a 5 August event in New Delhi, marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising, where Sheikh Hasina was permitted to address an audience via an audio link.
The Bangladesh government expressed “intense outrage” over the incident and lodged a formal objection with New Delhi.
Additionally, the spokesperson was questioned regarding a reported two-day visit to Bangladesh by Parag Jain, the chief of India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
Despite reports of a meeting between the R&AW chief and the Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser, Brigadier General (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Jaiswal claimed he had “no knowledge” of the visit, suggesting the relevant ministry might be better placed to comment.
