No Decision Yet on PM Tarique Rahman’s Visit to India, Says Dhaka

The clarification on Friday follows Indian media reports suggesting the Prime Minister would travel to New Delhi from August 23 to 25. The two South Asian neighbors have been negotiating for weeks over what would be Rahman's first official trip to India since assuming office in February.

Bilateral relations remain strained following the 2024 ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid a mass student-led uprising.

"No decision has yet been made on the visit," stated Press Secretary AAM Saleh. He emphasized that Dhaka is actively awaiting New Delhi's response regarding the extradition of Hasina and other designated fugitive criminals. India has previously stated it is examining the request.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal declined to comment on the potential visit during a regular media briefing.

While Prime Minister Rahman's six-month-old administration has sought to maintain constructive ties with New Delhi, officials recently signaled that a more favorable diplomatic environment is required for a state visit.

Tensions flared last week after Hasina addressed journalists from India a move Dhaka strongly condemned. Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia last November for ordering a deadly crackdown on protesters during the 2024 uprising.

Dismissing the charges as politically motivated, Hasina recently told reporters that she intends to return to Bangladesh in December.