Summary Bangladesh and India discuss boosting cooperation, security, and trade, as Dhaka seeks extraditions and New Delhi signals visa and energy support.
NEW DELHI (Dunya News) - Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi on Wednesday as part of efforts to reset bilateral relations between the two countries.
He met India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, with senior Bangladeshi officials including Prime Minister’s Adviser Humayun Kabir and High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah also in attendance. Both sides emphasized the need to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors and reviewed regional and global developments.
Dr Khalilur Rahman said the newly elected government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would adopt a “Bangladesh First” policy based on mutual respect and shared interests. Security cooperation remained a key focus, with Bangladesh thanking India for arresting suspects involved in the killing of martyr Usman Hadi, while both countries agreed to complete extradition processes under existing agreements. Bangladesh also reiterated its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who are reportedly facing death sentences from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal.
In the economic sphere, India signaled easing visa procedures for Bangladeshi citizens, particularly for medical and business travel. Energy cooperation was also discussed, with Bangladesh thanking India for recent diesel supplies and requesting increased exports of fuel and fertilizers, to which the Indian side responded positively. Both countries agreed to continue formal consultations on key bilateral issues, reflecting a cautious but forward-looking approach to their relationship.
