Nahid Islam Urges Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Cancel India Visit Until Sheikh Hasina Extradition Terms Are Resolved

Nahid Islam, the Opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman should not visit India until the terms of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition and the future framework of Bangladesh-India relations are clearly defined. Addressing a gathering at Shahbag in Dhaka on Thursday, Islam emphasized that the Bangladeshi public would not accept a visit by the Prime Minister while these critical issues remain unresolved.

The event, marking the second anniversary of the Inqilab Mancha organization—founded by the late Sharif Osman Bin Hadi—served as a platform for Islam to criticize India’s role regarding the residence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He argued that the recent press conference held by Hasina in New Delhi could not have occurred without the direct or indirect support of the Indian government. He contended that her statements should be interpreted as the official stance of New Delhi rather than her own, drawing a parallel to the diplomatic fallout that would occur if an insurgent group from India’s “Seven Sisters” region were permitted to host a similar event in Dhaka.

Islam expressed dissatisfaction with the diplomatic response from the interim government regarding recent bilateral engagements. Referencing a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Islam noted that while Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman claimed the discussions included the extradition of Hasina and the individuals responsible for the death of Osman Hadi, the Indian High Commissioner remained silent on these matters in his own press briefings. Islam urged the government to adopt a more assertive stance, suggesting that authorities should have summoned the Indian envoy to demand accountability and an official apology.

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Characterizing the events in New Delhi as an infringement on Bangladesh’s sovereignty, Islam alleged that by allowing a convicted individual to address the media, the Indian government has taken a stance against the democratic and judicial systems of Bangladesh. He described the situation as a form of “proxy warfare” and called for national unity to address the diplomatic challenge.

The NCP leader laid out clear expectations for normalized relations, insisting that any genuine move toward friendship from India must be contingent upon the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and the perpetrators of political violence, a resolution to ongoing border killings, and the guarantee of a fair share of transboundary river water. He concluded by demanding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman provide a transparent explanation regarding the government’s position on the recent press conference, reaffirming that a visit to India by the Prime Minister would be inappropriate under the current circumstances.