1 week ago
Jaishankar Calls for Common Ground as Rahman India Visit Stalls
India and Bangladesh are having a disagreement about former Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh wants India to send Hasina back, but she is staying in India.
Bangladesh has also objected to her making political statements from Indian territory.
This disagreement has made Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible trip to India uncertain.
India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, said both countries must respect each other’s interests.
He said relationships work better when countries find common ground.
Jaishankar also said countries should use many suppliers so disruptions do not stop important goods from arriving.
He said peace along the India-China border is important for better relations.
He also said India should become stronger while continuing to do business with China and other countries.
S Jaishankar said India-Bangladesh ties must serve both countries’ mutual interests and find common ground.
Bangladesh is seeking Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India after her ouster and refuge there in August 2024.
Tarique Rahman’s proposed India visit was postponed or called off amid uncertainty over the extradition issue.
Dhaka has also sought assurances that Hasina will not use Indian territory for activities that could destabilise Bangladesh.
Jaishankar said supply-chain diversification, border peace with China and stronger Indian manufacturing are strategic priorities.
- Who
- S Jaishankar, India, Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina and Tarique Rahman; Jaishankar also discussed China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
- What
- Jaishankar said India-Bangladesh relations require mutual interests and common ground as Dhaka seeks Hasina’s extradition and Rahman’s India visit remains uncertain.
- Where
- The remarks were made at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum; the diplomatic dispute concerns India and Bangladesh.
- When
- Jaishankar made the remarks on Saturday, identified in one report as August 22; the dispute followed Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
- Why
- Bangladesh has linked Rahman’s possible visit to India’s response on Hasina’s extradition and assurances about her activities from Indian territory.
India’s Stated Approach
Bangladesh’s Position
Sheikh Hasina’s extradition
India’s Stated Approach
Jaishankar declined to discuss the specifics of India-Bangladesh discussions and said any workable relationship must recognise and respect both sides’ interests.
Bangladesh’s Position
Bangladesh is seeking Hasina’s extradition and is awaiting India’s response on her return, along with requests concerning other fugitives.
Conditions for Rahman’s visit
India’s Stated Approach
India has invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and the BRICS Summit, while discussions over possible dates continue according to the reports.
Bangladesh’s Position
Bangladesh linked the visit to India’s response on Hasina’s extradition and assurances that she cannot conduct activities from India that might destabilise Bangladesh.
Path for bilateral relations
India’s Stated Approach
India says ties can progress when both countries find a mutually acceptable “landing point” or common ground rather than expecting neighbours to act only in New Delhi’s interest.
Bangladesh’s Position
Bangladesh’s concerns over Hasina’s presence and activities in India have become a major point of friction and have strained the broader relationship.
Key facts
- Main speaker
- S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister.
- Bangladesh’s request
- Bangladesh is seeking the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.
- Hasina’s status
- The reports say Hasina took refuge in India after being ousted in August 2024; one report says she faces a death sentence in Bangladesh.
- Tarique Rahman visit
- India invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and to attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC.
- Visit status
- A proposed visit for the following week was reportedly postponed or called off, with possible dates later in the month or in early September being discussed.
- Bangladesh’s additional concern
- Dhaka has sought assurances that Hasina will not use Indian territory for political speeches or activities that could create instability inside Bangladesh.
- Jaishankar’s broader strategy
- He advocated de-risking, supplier diversification and safety margins in response to disruptions in energy, fertiliser and shipping markets.
Quotes
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir
Bangladesh’s adviser on foreign affairs
“I am also realistic, I’m not expecting neighbours to do only what’s in my interest. There has to be a fair degree, a reasonable degree of my recognising and respecting what is their interest, just as I expect them also to do so,””
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“What I can tell you is for any relationship to work, it has to meet the test of mutual interest. It has to work for them, it has to work for us,””
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firstpost.com
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indianexpress.com
Tarique Rahman’s press secretary
Press secretary to Bangladesh’s prime minister
“No decision has yet been made on the visit”
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Sources
When two sides find common ground...': India's EAM Jaishankar responds as Bangladesh links Hasina's extradition to PM Rahman's visit
‘It has to work for them, it has to work for us’: Jaishankar on India-Bangladesh ties
India-Bangladesh ties can work if they meet the “test of mutual interest": Jaishankar as Dhaka cancels PM's visit
Delhi-Dhaka chill: Jaishankar flags mutual interests, common ground
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