Hasina no longer relevant to Bangladesh: PM’s foreign adviser

Prime minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir today (13 April) described former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as an "autocrat, terrorist and killer" who fled to India and is staying there as an "international terrorist," losing her relevance in Bangladesh.

"We told (Indian side) she (Hasina) is a terrorist. She is irrelevant to Bangladesh. She doesn't have any room in Bangladesh. She doesn't hold any importance in Bangladesh. People have moved on," the adviser told reporters at the Secretariat.

"I would say it's a good start to resetting the conversation," the adviser said while commenting on the recent visit to India.

Bangladesh laid emphasis on making sure that Hasina does not do anything to destabilise the country using the soil of India, he said.

"We will continue to seek her extradition through a transparent judicial process. It (extradition request) has been discussed. It will be dealt with through a transparent judicial process," Humayun said.

He said there would be some challenges as Hasina is still staying there.

The Bangladesh side reiterated its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to Bangladesh, who have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman met Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Oil and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri in New Delhi on 8 April. Prime minister's Adviser Humayun and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah were present at these meetings.

They also held a meeting with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval following their arrival in India's capital city on 7 April.

Dhaka eyes goodwill gesture on visa front

During the discussions, Minister Jaishankar said Indian visas to Bangladeshis, particularly medical and business visas, would be eased in the coming weeks, Humayun said.

Responding to a question, he  said the Indian side responded positively to resuming medical and business visas.

"We hope there will be some goodwill gesture from the Indian side in the coming weeks," said the adviser.

In the discussions in New Delhi, both sides emphasised the importance of advancing bilateral relations between the two countries in various dimensions.

They also discussed key regional and international issues.

Dr Khalilur said the recently elected BNP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would pursue its foreign policy in accordance with the principle of "Bangladesh First" and on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocal benefit.

He thanked the Indian government for apprehending the suspected killers of Osman Hadi.

Both sides agreed that the arrested individuals will be returned to Bangladesh in accordance with the procedures laid out in the extradition treaty between the two countries.

Dr Khalilur expressed thanks to Minister Hardeep Puri for the recent supply of diesel to Bangladesh by India and requested an increase in the volume of diesel and fertiliser supply.

Minister Puri indicated that the government of India will consider the request readily and favourably.

The two sides also agreed to undertake consultations on key bilateral issues.