Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today called for a “fresh start” to strengthen friendly relations between Bangladesh and India, emphasising that the bilateral relationship must advance on the basis of equality.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, at his office in the Ministry of Home Affairs at Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, the minister highlighted that Bangladesh and India are mutually interdependent across geographical, social, political, and economic contexts.
According to a press release, Salauddin said while certain differences or issues exist between the two nations, they can be resolved through mutual co-operation and discussion.
“To strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries, leaving the past behind, a fresh start is urgent,” he said, adding that India must come forward with sincerity to advance these ties on the basis of equality.
During the meeting, which featured fruitful and positive discussions on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest, Salauddin requested the Indian High Commissioner to return all identified fugitive criminals currently residing in India, including Sheikh Hasina, under the existing prisoner exchange and extradition treaty so that they can face Bangladesh justice system.
Moreover, he requested the prompt extradition of the accused in Osman Hadi murder case from India to Bangladesh, in accordance with bilateral extradition treaty.
In response to these requests, High Commissioner Trivedi said India would make a decision after conducting legal examinations.
Expressing commitment to advancing bilateral relations, Trivedi said, “We do not only share geographical borders, we also share dreams of prosperity.”
He added that challenges on various issues are normal in a democratic culture, describing them as the “beauty of democracy” and saying that a real democracy cannot exist without such issues.
Trivedi emphasised that despite all challenges, the core expectation of the peoples of both countries is a strong and excellent relationship that creates a mutually beneficial, “win-win” environment.
He added that there are no complex issues between the two nations that cannot be resolved through discussion and diplomatic channels, expressing optimism for a strong and bright relationship in the coming days.
The high-level meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant representatives from the Indian High Commission.
