Bangladesh PM Rahman likely to visit India from August 23-25, Indian newspaper reports

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to make his first visit to India since assuming office in February, with reports from the Indian Express newspaper indicating a trip from August 23 to 25. The potential visit comes at a critical juncture as the two South Asian neighbors strive to repair a relationship strained by the 2024 ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Dhaka has formally requested New Delhi to extradite Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia in November for ordering a crackdown on student protests. Hasina, who fled Bangladesh following violent demonstrations against her government, denies the charges, labeling them politically motivated. She has stated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December.

Rahman's six-month-old government has prioritized fostering good relations with India since coming to power. Diplomatic discussions regarding Rahman's potential visit to New Delhi have been ongoing for weeks. However, Bangladesh signaled last week that a more conducive diplomatic environment is necessary for the trip, a statement issued days after Hasina participated in a media interaction, an act condemned by Dhaka.

Neither the Bangladeshi nor the Indian foreign ministries immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the reported visit. Rahman's government has emphasized seeking good relations with India, but the extradition request for Hasina remains a significant point of contention.