PM’s India visit will take place when appropriate: State Minister

Newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has said Bangladesh will visit India at an appropriate time after making progress in discussions and ensuring that the country’s national interests are upheld.

“We want to maintain a positive and effective relationship with India. But we cannot move forward with any country by compromising Bangladesh’s national interests,” he said.

The state minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Saturday following his swearing-in.

Asked about the prime minister’s proposed visit to India, Humayun Kabir said there was no hurry to arrange the trip.

“Let there be some progress first. Based on discussions and our national interests, we will certainly go when the time is appropriate,” he said.

On Bangladesh-India relations, he said India was a neighbouring country and maintaining a positive and effective relationship with it was important.

“We want a positive relationship with India. Why wouldn’t we? They are our neighbours. We should have an effective relationship,” he said.

However, he stressed that Bangladesh would not compromise its national interests for the sake of relations with India or any other country.

Regarding the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the state minister said she had gone to India after fleeing Bangladesh and was accused of involvement in the deaths of 1,500 people. He said judicial proceedings had produced outcomes in several cases against her, while many others were still pending.

“Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with India. So these are not new conditions or a new form of engagement; these are ongoing matters,” he said.

Humayun Kabir said bringing back Sheikh Hasina and other accused persons who are staying in India was connected with the expectations of the people of Bangladesh.

“There are other criminals who have fled to India. This is a natural demand of the people of Bangladesh and a matter of their sentiments. We want to engage with India by prioritising this process,” he said.

The state minister said there was no urgency regarding a prime minister-level visit to India.

“If we can reach an agreement based on our national interests tomorrow, we can go next week or the week after. There is no hurry here,” he said.

He also stressed the need for adequate preparations and discussions before a visit by the heads of government of the two countries.

“A prime ministerial visit is not something that can happen suddenly. It is not a game. There are issues to discuss and preparations to make. Before a meeting between the two heads of government, some groundwork and a foundation need to be established. That is what we are doing,” he said.

Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh had received indications of a positive attitude and goodwill from the Indian side.

He also said India had acknowledged the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh, particularly following Sheikh Hasina’s press conference after August 5.

“They have acknowledged that the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh were hurt, especially by the press conference held by fugitive Sheikh Hasina after August 5. They have taken note of the issue,” he said.

Describing this as “a good beginning,” the state minister said Bangladesh would wait to see whether further progress could be made in the discussions.

“Based on the discussions and our national interests, we will certainly visit India when the time is appropriate,” he said.