Senior Correspondent, Dhaka:
India-Bangladesh relations are again facing diplomatic uncertainty as Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the need for “mutual interests” and “common ground” to keep relations workable.
Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Saturday, Jaishankar avoided directly commenting on Dhaka’s demand for the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Instead, he said a sustainable relationship requires both sides to recognize and respect each other’s interests.
His remarks come as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India remains uncertain. The issue of Hasina’s extradition has emerged as a key complication in the relationship, particularly after her public interaction in New Delhi on August 5, marking two years since her ouster.
Bangladesh has been seeking Hasina’s extradition, as she faces a death sentence in the country. Her continued presence in India and public political engagement have added pressure to an already sensitive bilateral relationship.
Relations had shown signs of improvement after Tarique Rahman assumed office in February. However, recent developments have revived concerns over the pace and direction of rapprochement between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Jaishankar’s emphasis on mutuality suggests that India is seeking a pragmatic framework for managing differences rather than allowing individual disputes to dominate the broader relationship. For Bangladesh, the challenge will be to pursue its legal and political demands while preserving space for cooperation on trade, connectivity, security and regional interests.
