Bangladesh is likely to discuss the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the upcoming Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation (FOC)scheduled for early December in Dhaka.
“There is scope for discussion on the matter,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Taufique Hasan said during a weekly media briefing at the ministry today.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in India since August 5 after fleeing Dhaka, is facing trial in the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations related to mass killings during the July-August uprising.
In this connection, Hasan said that the foreign ministry has yet to receive any official directive to begin Sheikh Hasina’s extradition process.
“We will engage with Delhi and initiate the formal process in accordance with the existing extradition treaty once we receive the necessary instructions,” he said in response to queries about the matter.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin and his Indian counterpart Vikram Misri will lead their respective delegation to the FOC, which will cover wide range of bilateral issues, including the potential extradition of Sheikh Hasina.
Regarding the review of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the two nations, Hasan said these agreements fall under the jurisdiction of various ministries in Bangladesh.
“Consultations with all relevant stakeholders are essential, and implementing any steps will take time,” he noted, adding that while progress has been limited over the past 100 days, there is optimism for “significant progress” in the coming months.
Responding to questions about Indian visas, Hasan said the Indian visa center is operational but is currently prioritizing medical and student visa applications.
He highlighted that India has cited staff shortages as a challenge and expressed the hope for a quick resolution.
The spokesperson also addressed negative media campaigns in certain Indian outlets against Bangladesh.
“This issue has been brought to the attention of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, and the Indian authorities have been informed that such narratives are undesirable given the mutual relationship between the two nations,” Hasan said.
Regarding direct air travel between Dhaka and Karachi (Pakistan), Hasan informed that Pakistan had submitted a request for resuming connectivity.
“The matter is under review and has been forwarded to the Civil Aviation Ministry,” he said, adding that updates would be shared in due course.
On the Rohingya issue, Hasan highlighted Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s active diplomacy during the 79th UN General Assembly, where he participated in 25 bilateral meetings.
Bangladesh also hosted a high-level side event at the UN, where Dr. Yunus proposed three initiatives, including an all-stakeholders conference.
Recently, Dr. Yunus sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General urging concrete actions.
Hasan said these efforts culminated in the unanimous adoption of a resolution titled “The Human Rights Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minority Communities in Myanmar” in the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Wednesday.
Jointly presented by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union, the resolution garnered co-sponsorship from 106 UN member states, reflecting broad international support.
Through the resolution, Member-States decide to hold an all-stakeholder high-level conference in 2025 to propose a time-bound plan for sustainable resolution of the Rohingya crisis.
“The unanimous adoption of this resolution is a significant milestone, showcasing the international community’s commitment to addressing the Rohingya crisis,” Hasan said.
He added that the conference is expected to take place in New York in the first half of next year.
