Published : 06 Oct 2026, 12:57 PM
Updated : 06 Oct 2026, 12:57 PM
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has described the activities of Sheikh Hasina and her associates in India as the "principal challenge" to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's proposed visit to New Delhi, The Hindu reports.
In response to a question from the Indian newspaper on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka on Monday, he called on India to restrain Hasina and her associates, accusing them of trying to destabilise Bangladesh from Delhi.
"The visit will be bilateral but there are challenges and through dialogue we will overcome them. The principal challenge is not too much to ask for. [Hasina] and her team are stationed in Delhi and they are trying to destabilise a foreign country sitting in Delhi. This does not benefit India either," he said.
Humaiun described Hasina as a "terrorist" and the Awami League leadership in India as a "hindrance" to the normalisation of Dhaka-Delhi relations, according to The Hindu.
He also said Dhaka was seeing indications of movement from the Indian side.
"We are seeing some positive signs as India is trying to restrain them. That is the norm between two countries. If they are restrained, then there will be no problem in the [bilateral] relationship," he said.
In separate remarks reported by ThePrint, Humaiun made the case for reciprocity, saying Bangladesh would not allow anyone considered a terrorist by India to use its territory to speak against the Indian government.
"India does not need to facilitate them. Restrain them. That is it," ThePrint quoted him as saying.
Despite the dispute over Hasina, Humaiun said that Dhaka remained hopeful about Tarique's proposed visit.
"The visit of prime minister will take place at a conducive time and I am hopeful. The prime minister has never said that he will not visit [India]," he said.
Humaiun also praised Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi's role in efforts to improve ties, saying Dhaka was ready to "engage across the board" if New Delhi was receptive to the envoy's assessment.
Bangladesh was prepared to discuss all issues with India but expected "reciprocation", he added.
"When two governments sit down to discuss keeping in mind national interests, all issues can be addressed," The Hindu quoted him as saying.
Hasina has been living in India since her Awami League government fell amid the July-August 2024 mass uprising. Her political activities and public statements from India have since emerged as a source of friction between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Bangladesh has also sought her extradition.
India has invited Tarique for a bilateral visit, but no date has been set. The two governments have said discussions over the proposed trip are continuing.
