New Delhi, August 18: Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, has stated that Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s government is anxious following Sheikh Hasina’s announcement of her return to the country by December. According to Sikri, the Awami League’s growing popularity is causing Dhaka to distance itself from India, as it has not responded to India’s invitation for six months.
Sikri remarked that the Rahman government is using Sheikh Hasina as an excuse to avoid visiting India, despite the extradition being a legal matter. She noted that Rahman, who previously spoke against Hasina, has changed his stance upon coming to power.
The former diplomat mentioned, “Prime Minister Tariq Rahman was invited to visit India six months ago, in February 2026, when he took the oath of office. I believe this was the first invitation from the Indian government after he became Prime Minister, and we have been waiting for a response for six months. A few weeks ago, we extended a second invitation to him for the BRICS summit as the chairman of BIMSTEC.”
She further stated, “During Muhammad Yunus’s tenure, when the Awami League faced restrictions, Tariq Rahman had said that he does not support restrictions on any party. The party should remain active. If people do not like it, they will not vote for that party. While living in London, he often addressed political rallies via video and made various comments against the government. Sheikh Hasina never imposed any restrictions on him.”
Sikri indicated that such actions have emerged since Rahman became Prime Minister, using Hasina as a reason to avoid visiting India. Initially, there were discussions that Rahman might visit India between August 20-22. However, following Hasina’s press conference on August 5, this has become a contentious issue. Extradition is a legal matter that takes time, and the Bangladesh government appears to be fearful. Hasina announced her intention to return to her country by December, which has caused concern for the Rahman government, as they are aware of the Awami League’s increasing popularity.
Retired Major General Dhruv Katoch commented, “Firstly, I believe the atmosphere is quite right. If Bangladesh wants to improve, it is up to them. If they wish to enhance relations, they need to improve their position there. As for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, that will not happen under any circumstances. Hasina has taken refuge here, and she will stay as long as she wishes. If Bangladesh wants to strengthen its ties with China and Pakistan, that is their choice. The only thing is that they should not interfere in India’s matters. We want our borders to remain secure, at all costs.”
Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, spoke about the relationship between the two countries, stating, “There are many problems, but every challenge or shortcoming is an opportunity to work together. Many MOUs are being signed, and common people are asking the High Commissioner or Ambassador, ‘How can I get involved?'”
Hamidullah referred to a letter written by Prime Minister Tariq Rahman to the Indian government on February 26, highlighting a paragraph where he emphasized “common people’s expectations.” He questioned why Rahman chose to use the word “common” instead of simply “people,” suggesting a deeper intention behind the phrasing.
He concluded that the notion of engagement between the people now seems quite rehearsed. We are more stuck on cooperation than on collaboration, as both our economies rely almost 95-99% on the private sector.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.