Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's India visit stalls over Hasina extradition dispute
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's planned visit to India has stalled amid domestic opposition over New Delhi's refusal to extradite former leader Sheikh Hasina. The visit, initially expected between August 20 and 25, was cancelled after an Indian presidential notice about a ceremonial welcome was withdrawn within an hour. The National Citizen Party has demanded Rahman not visit India until Hasina is returned.
Key Facts
- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been in office for over six months without visiting India, breaking with the tradition of Bangladeshi premiers making India their first foreign destination.
- India invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and to attend the BRICS summit it is hosting in September.
- On August 21, the Indian President's Office briefly issued a notice cancelling the Change of Guard ceremony for a rehearsal of Rahman's ceremonial welcome, but withdrew it within an hour.
- In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity over the 2024 uprising crackdown.
- The National Citizen Party demanded that Rahman not visit India until Hasina and other wanted Awami League figures are returned.
Visit Preparations
Officials from Bangladesh and India discussed dates for a possible bilateral visit over several weeks. A mid-August media report citing Bangladeshi diplomatic sources said the visit was expected between August 20 and 25. On August 21, the Indian President's Office issued a notice saying the Change of Guard ceremony would be cancelled due to a rehearsal for the ceremonial welcome of the Bangladeshi prime minister. The notice was withdrawn within an hour, and the visit now appears unlikely to happen.
Hasina Extradition Dispute
Sheikh Hasina has been in India since fleeing after her government was toppled on August 5, 2024. In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death in absentia. Dhaka has formally asked India to extradite Hasina so the verdict can be enforced. On August 5 this year, the second anniversary of her ouster, Hasina addressed an online media interaction in New Delhi. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry said the media event was damaging efforts to improve bilateral relations.
Domestic Political Pressure
The National Citizen Party took the hardest position, with leaders demanding the Indian high commissioner in Dhaka be summoned. NCP convener Nahid Islam stressed that Rahman should not visit India before it returned Hasina and others wanted by Bangladesh. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud said Rahman's visit to Delhi would be a betrayal of the people. Dhaka had already asked India not to allow Hasina or other Awami League figures to use Indian territory for political activities directed at Bangladesh.
1 source
Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's India visit stalls over Hasina extradition dispute
