Touhid states that progress on Hasina's repatriation and bilateral interests with India will advance simultaneously

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain stated that the interim government will focus on balancing efforts to bring Sheikh Hasina back while advancing bilateral interests with India. In response to a question about normalizing relations with India amidst efforts to repatriate the deposed prime minister, he told journalists at the foreign ministry on Wednesday, "I believe both will progress simultaneously. This is one issue, but there are many other matters of mutual interest that we will work on as well."

Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Awami League, fled to India on August 5 amid a mass uprising and has remained there since. Several senior Awami League leaders have been arrested, while others remain in hiding. In 2010, the Awami League government established the International Crimes Tribunal to prosecute crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The interim administration is now using this tribunal to address allegations of "genocide" by the former Awami League government in its efforts to suppress the student-led uprising. Allegations of "genocide and crimes against humanity" between July 5 and August 5 have been submitted to the tribunal’s investigation agency and Prosecutor’s Office.

The tribunal has since issued an arrest warrant for Hasina in one case, along with warrants for 45 others, including her family members and other Awami League leaders, in another case. On December 23, the government sent a diplomatic letter to India requesting Hasina’s extradition under the existing treaty. While India acknowledged receipt of the letter, no official comment has been made. Indian media reports suggest that the Indian government is unlikely to return Hasina and that it may take months to respond to Dhaka’s request.

Since Hasina's fall in August, tensions have arisen between the Muhammad Yunus-led government and India. While trade relations continue, there have been conflicting statements on issues such as minority persecution. 

Touhid added that the government plans to prioritize strengthening ties with India, China, and the United States in the coming year. "We will focus on all areas. We want good relations with our neighbors, the United States, and China. We have interests in maintaining good relations in each of these areas." He expressed optimism that by the end of the year, the government will be able to say that relations with all neighboring and friendly nations have improved.

In response to a question about priorities, Touhid stated, "None of these relationships are less important." He concluded, "Our interests are strongly tied with all three countries."