India reaffirmed its commitment to constructive ties with Bangladesh as consular talks were postponed. Sheikh Hasina, 78, was removed from power in August 2024 after violent student-led protests.Ties came under renewed strain after former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina took part in a virtual media interaction in New Delhi on August 5.
India has said it wants a "positive, constructive and forward-looking" relationship with Bangladesh amid diplomatic friction between the two countries and the postponement of their bilateral consular dialogue, the Press Trust of India reported.Ties came under renewed strain after former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina took part in a virtual media interaction in New Delhi on August 5. The consular dialogue, scheduled for next week, has now been postponed."India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a regular media briefing on Friday."Accordingly, initiatives have been taken and meetings held under our structured mechanisms in such areas as trade, railways, water resources and border management, among others," he said.
Jaiswal said the next round of the consular dialogue, which will also cover matters related to the revised travel arrangement, would be held on a mutually convenient date. "India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level," he said.Following Hasina's virtual media interaction, Dhaka reiterated its demand for her extradition. India distanced itself from the event, saying New Delhi had neither played a role in it nor endorsed Hasina's comments.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry reacted sharply to the interaction and said the country was "outraged" that it had been allowed despite Dhaka conveying its concerns to New Delhi about the likely impact on bilateral relations.Hasina, 78, was removed from power in August 2024 after violent student-led protests. She has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka on August 5 that year, according to PTI.Amid the continuing strain in ties, India invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a bilateral visit and to attend the outreach session of the BRICS summit in New Delhi in September.
Rahman, however, did not attend the summit, and there is no clarity on whether he will visit India soon.Asked about Bangladesh's repeated demand for Hasina's extradition, Jaiswal said it was a legal matter and would be handled accordingly. India has maintained that bilateral issues can be discussed through existing mechanisms, while the postponed consular dialogue will be held on a mutually convenient date.- Ends