Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh has set out two conditions it says are necessary to create a "propitious environment" for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India.

Dhaka wants New Delhi to expedite the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives, and to hand over the accused killers of Inqilab Moncho spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi before it decides on the visit.

Foreign Ministry spokesman AKM Shahidul Karim outlined the government’s position on Sunday.

In a prepared statement read out at a media briefing, he said officials in Dhaka and Delhi had been discussing a possible bilateral visit by Tarique for several weeks.

“However, this process was vitiated by the open press interaction in New Delhi on the 5th of August by Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. We have made our position clear on this matter.”

Shahidul said that Dhaka believed the atmosphere surrounding the proposed visit needed to improve before it could move forward.

“We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for this visit. To this end, we have requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on our request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals.

“And to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with our bilateral extradition treaty. We are awaiting their response.”

The diplomat said that Bangladesh would continue to pursue what the government calls its “Bangladesh First” policy in relations with India and other countries.

“We reiterate that we will continue to pursue our 'Bangladesh First' policy to promote friendly bilateral relations with other countries, including our neighbours, on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and mutual benefit.”

The remarks come amid weeks of discussions over a possible first bilateral visit to India by Tarique since becoming prime minister.

Diplomatic and political sources in Dhaka and Delhi had earlier indicated that Aug 22-23 were being considered as possible dates for Tarique’s maiden visit to India.