Bangladesh likely to raise extradition of Hasina, media propaganda in talks with India on Monday

The extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian media propaganda against Bangladesh are likely to be discussed during the foreign office consultation meeting between Bangladesh and India on Monday.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will lead the Indian delegation, which is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka city on Monday amid strains in bilateral ties.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin will lead the Bangladesh side. 

According to the foreign ministry officials, trade, visa connectivity, border killings, and water sharing are the key issues to be discussed in the meeting.

However, the issue of extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in the face of a mass uprising against her government on August 5 and the relentless propaganda by a section of Indian media against Bangladesh will be raised by the Bangladesh side, officials said.

Hasina is currently facing trial in Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for her alleged involvement in mass killings during the student-led July-August uprising.

Misri will hold several other meetings during his visit and is expected to express Indain government’s concern over the minority situations in Bangladesh, said Indian media reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his concerns about the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh in a message to Muhammad Yunus on August 8 after the Nobel laureate took charge as chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. On October 12, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called upon Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship. On November 26, the MEA voiced deep concerns about the arrest and denial of bail to ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, including the desecration of deities and temples.

However, the Bangladesh government has made it clear that the government is fully committed to protecting the minority rights. Moreover, it has asserted that the Indian media has been engaged in a vicious campaign against the interim government by presenting fabricated reports on attacks against Hindus.

Bangladesh missions in Kolkata and Agartala recently were attacked by Indian protesters, adding fuel to the ongoing bitterness in bilateral ties.

Amid tensions, the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka last week told the media that India always wants a stable and friendly ties with Bangladesh.

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