Archive · 19 Aug 2026
India Reaffirms Bangladesh Ties Amid Visit Uncertainty
India has invited Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit.
Indian officials said they want friendly and future-focused relations with Bangladesh.
They also said they hope Rahman will visit, although reports suggest the timing is uncertain.
Bangladesh wants India to create a suitable environment for the visit.
Bangladesh has connected that environment to its request for India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
India said the extradition request is being reviewed under its normal procedures.
The two countries are also discussing energy supplies.
They share 54 rivers, and India said water discussions should use their established joint groups.
India said it has extended a cordial invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and remains hopeful about his visit.
Bangladesh has called for an appropriate or propitious environment, linking it to India’s handling of its extradition request for Sheikh Hasina.
India said extradition requests concerning Sheikh Hasina are being examined through established procedures.
Reports differ on the visit’s prospects: one account said India remained tight-lipped, while another quoted India expressing hope for the trip.
India is examining Bangladesh’s additional energy request and said water issues should be handled through existing bilateral mechanisms, with 54 rivers shared by the countries.
- Who
- India, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
- What
- India reaffirmed its invitation to Rahman, discussed the uncertain visit, Hasina’s extradition request, energy cooperation, and shared rivers.
- When
- The statements were made on Tuesday; reports referenced a BRICS Leaders’ Summit scheduled for September 12-13.
- Where
- The issues concern diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, including Dhaka’s requests to New Delhi.
- Why
- Bangladesh seeks conditions favorable to Rahman’s visit and faster action on extradition, while India says it wants relations based on mutual interests and reciprocity.
India’s Position
Bangladesh’s Position
Conditions for the visit
India’s Position
India emphasized its invitation and said it wants positive, constructive, and forward-looking relations, while one account said the ministry remained tight-lipped about the visit.
Bangladesh’s Position
Bangladesh said an appropriate or propitious environment must be created before Tarique Rahman makes a bilateral visit to India.
Sheikh Hasina extradition request
India’s Position
India said the request is being examined through established procedures and reiterated that its position has not changed.
Bangladesh’s Position
Bangladesh urged India to act expeditiously on the request, which it identified as part of the environment needed for Rahman’s visit.
Prospects for Rahman’s travel
India’s Position
India said it had extended a cordial invitation and was hopeful about the visit.
Bangladesh’s Position
Reports cited in the coverage said Rahman was unlikely to undertake a bilateral visit soon and might skip the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
- Invitation
- India said it has extended a cordial invitation to Tarique Rahman to visit India.
- India’s relationship goal
- India said it desires positive, constructive, and forward-looking relations with Bangladesh based on mutuality of interests and reciprocity.
- Visit outlook
- One report said India remained tight-lipped, while another said India was hopeful about Rahman’s visit.
- Extradition request
- India said requests concerning Sheikh Hasina are being examined through established procedures.
- Bangladesh’s position
- Dhaka urged India to act expeditiously on the extradition request and help create an appropriate or propitious environment for the visit.
- Energy request
- India said it has ongoing energy cooperation with Bangladesh and is examining an additional request based on its requirements, refining capacity, and availability.
- Shared rivers
- India said 54 rivers are shared by India and Bangladesh, with water discussions handled through bilateral mechanisms.
