Touhid: Dhaka seeks reciprocal relations with Delhi

On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh seeks strong and reciprocal relations with India, suggesting that the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two nations might take place a day earlier than scheduled, possibly on December 9 instead of December 10.

He emphasized, "It is clear that we want good relations, but it must be reciprocal. We need to work towards that goal," while responding to questions from reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When asked about the FOC, Hossain mentioned that it could occur one day ahead of schedule or take place on December 10 in Dhaka. 

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is expected to visit Dhaka on December 9 or 10, as both Bangladesh and India prepare for the Foreign Secretary-level talks.

This visit would mark the first time a senior Indian official visits Bangladesh since the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, assumed power on August 8, according to a diplomatic source.

No official announcement has been made yet regarding Misri's visit for the FOC with Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. The discussions are expected to cover various bilateral matters, including the potential extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, as well as visa issues.

During the foreign ministry’s weekly briefing on November 21, Director General of the Public Diplomacy Wing, Toufique Hasan, confirmed that an inter-ministerial meeting had already been held to prepare for the upcoming talks.

“There is room for discussion on the matter (extradition of Sheikh Hasina),” Hasan stated during the briefing.

Sheikh Hasina, who fled Dhaka on August 5 and has been in India since, faces trial in Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for alleged involvement in mass killings during the July-August uprising. While the government intends to bring her back, Hasan clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet received formal instructions to begin the extradition process.

"We will engage with Delhi and initiate the formal process according to the existing extradition treaty once we receive the necessary instructions," he added.

Regarding the review of existing agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Bangladesh and India, Hasan mentioned that these are handled by various ministries in Bangladesh.