India Seeks Positive and Constructive Engagement with Bangladesh: MEA
India reaffirms its commitment to a positive and people-centric engagement with Bangladesh amid ongoing discussions on bilateral ties and stability.
New Delhi has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stable and collaborative relations with Bangladesh, emphasizing a diplomatic approach rooted in a "positive, constructive, and forward-looking" vision. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that India’s engagement with Dhaka is centered on mutual growth and regional development through a people-centric focus.
A Vision for Mutual Prosperity
Addressing a press briefing on bilateral ties and regional cooperation, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal outlined the framework for New Delhi's diplomatic discussions. He underscored that India prioritizes practical collaboration and shared economic progress during high-level dialogues with Bangladeshi authorities.
"Our approach towards Bangladesh is to have positive, constructive, and forward-looking engagement with a people-centric focus for mutual growth and prosperity," Jaiswal stated. He added that India remains steadfast in this objective during all discussions with the authorities in Bangladesh.
This strategic posture aims to prioritize sustained economic integration, infrastructural connectivity, and diplomatic stability across the shared borders of the two nations.
Clarification on Sheikh Hasina’s Arrival
The diplomatic stance comes amid significant discussions regarding the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Speaking at the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka—an event organized by the Centre for Governance Studies—Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, addressed the circumstances surrounding her arrival in India.
Trivedi clarified that the Indian military played no role in her flight arrangements, describing her arrival as "unexpected." He noted that the situation was driven by the tragic circumstances unfolding in Bangladesh at that time.
Addressing the Sudden Transition
The High Commissioner explained that Indian authorities were caught unawares by the rapid developments. "The military aircraft came to India… India was not prepared. I was watching on television, and the scroll was coming that she was going to some other country. At that point, Hasinaji was still the prime minister of Bangladesh," Trivedi remarked.
He further elaborated on the complexities faced by New Delhi, stating: "We had hardly any choice on that. It was our duty as a neighbour to accept the reality of life. Because situations are such that at times you are not prepared for such." He also noted that withholding landing permission could have fundamentally altered the evolving political situation in the region.
Extradition and Legal Procedures
The legal status of the former Prime Minister remains a point of discussion between the two nations. Both India and Bangladesh operate as vibrant democracies, and their respective legal systems are currently examining matters concerning bilateral legal procedures.
Key points regarding the ongoing legal discourse include:
- An initial formal extradition request was submitted by the interim administration in December 2024.
- The administration of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following the February 2026 general elections, has made repeated calls regarding the matter.
- The issue was raised by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar earlier this year.
- Prime Minister Rahman also raised the subject during a courtesy call with High Commissioner Trivedi in August.