Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not travel to India right now. Reports surfaced on Friday about preparations at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his visit. Bangladesh has now clarified that no final decision has been taken on the trip.
India Had Sent Two Invitations
India had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit to Delhi. A second invitation came in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC for the BRICS meeting on September 12-13. Government sources said Bangladesh has not yet accepted either invitation.
Bangladesh Pressing for Sheikh Hasina’s Extradition
Rahman’s government is demanding the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka is angry over Hasina’s press conference held on August 5. Hasina has been living in India for two years.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Withdrew Its Statement Within an Hour
Rashtrapati Bhavan had said the change of guard ceremony on August 22 would not happen. A full rehearsal was planned for the formal welcome of the Bangladesh PM. The statement was issued around 2 pm but withdrawn within an hour. The government has not commented on the sudden cancellation.
Envoy Tried to Ease Tensions in Dhaka
On Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi hosted an event in Dhaka. Bangladeshi business leaders and a delegation from India attended it. He tried to reduce tension between the two countries.
Mirza Alamgir Takes Oath as 23rd President
Senior BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir took oath on Friday as Bangladesh’s 23rd president. Acting speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, Kaiser Kamal, administered the oath at Durbar Hall in Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman and former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus attended the ceremony.
President Murmu Congratulates New Bangladesh President
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday. She expressed confidence that his long experience in public life would serve the people of Bangladesh well. China also congratulated Alamgir on his election.
