NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh remain in talks over Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Delhi, but no dates have been finalised, diplomatic sources said on Friday, denying reports that Rahman would travel to India in the next few days.
The uncertainty followed a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release that appeared to indicate an imminent visit. The release said the change-of-guard ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt would not be held on Saturday because of a full rehearsal for “the ceremonial welcome of the PM of Bangladesh”. The statement was later withdrawn.
Amid the confusion, the Ministry of External Affairs said it had no update on the matter.
Rahman’s press secretary, A A M Saleh, said no decision had been taken on the prime minister’s India visit, reiterating that Dhaka was awaiting New Delhi’s response on the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other “fugitive criminals”.
However, a visit by Rahman in early September has not been ruled out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited him for a bilateral visit and to attend the BRICS summit in September, when Bangladesh will participate as the chair of BIMSTEC.
According to Dhaka, efforts to finalise dates for the summit earlier this month were affected by a virtual news conference held by Hasina on August 5.
Bangladesh links visit to Hasina extradition
Dhaka now appears to have hardened its position on the issue, linking Rahman’s proposed visit to an explicit commitment from India on proceedings concerning Hasina’s extradition.
Bangladesh also wants India to address concerns including border killings and water sharing. Among the key issues is the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which governs the allocation of dry-season Ganges waters between the two countries and is due to expire in late 2026.
Asked about comments by JD(U) functionary Sanjay Jha that the treaty was not in Bihar’s interests, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said river-related issues between the two countries were discussed through the Joint Rivers Commission.
“As you would be aware, the Ganga Water Treaty was signed in 1996 for a period of 30 years. All river-related issues between India and Bangladesh are discussed under the Joint Rivers Commission,” Jaiswal said.
He added that meetings of the joint committee under the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty continued to be held at the technical level.
