Diplomatic Correspondent :
Adviser to the Interim Government, Mahfuz Alam, has stated that India has made a political decision not to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who faces criminal charges.
Speaking at a dialogue on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alam shared this information with journalists during the event titled “Building a New Bangladesh: Reforms and Foreign Policy.” He commented, “We are hearing that they (India) have made a political decision not to return her (Sheikh Hasina).”
On 23 December, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain had informed the media that the Interim Government had formally requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face multiple criminal charges, including culpable homicide. “We have informed the Indian government through a Note Verbale, seeking her return for judicial proceedings,” Hossain had stated.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz Alam stressed the importance of pragmatism in foreign policy, noting that Bangladesh must avoid making impulsive decisions that could disrupt diplomatic stability during government transitions. “We must be pragmatic.
We cannot make hasty decisions that could lead to foreign policy shifts with changes in government. Safeguarding our sovereignty, national security, and integrity is our priority,” he said.
Alam also criticised the previous government’s approach, describing it as “subservient,” and expressed the interim government’s commitment to a more balanced foreign policy. “If mistakes occur, we aim to correct them. Our goal is to protect Bangladesh’s interests and ensure national progress through unity across political parties and stakeholders,” he added.
He explained that the discussion also covered Bangladesh’s foreign relations with countries such as India, China, Myanmar, and nations in the Middle East. “We have proposed and initiated certain reforms to enhance state affairs.
The focus is now on how to make these reforms sustainable and visible during this period. Our view is that we need extensive consultations involving all stakeholders, including political parties,” Alam said.
Highlighting the importance of national consensus on foreign policy, he added, “This consensus must stem from a national standpoint and should not be swayed by government changes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must present Bangladesh on the global stage realistically, ensuring that the nation holds a position of dignity worldwide.”
Alam further elaborated on various initiatives, including public diplomacy and soft power strategies, to enhance Bangladesh’s image abroad. He criticised the previous foreign ministry’s politicisation, stating, “In the past, the foreign ministry became politicised, reflecting the interests of different parties. We want the ministry to represent Bangladesh, not any specific party. This is crucial for us now.”
Foreign Secretary Md Jasim Udding also spoke about the dialogue, stating, “We have discussed the government’s thoughts on dialogue, reform, and foreign policy. We have listened to their views and, at the same time, shared our own. We hope this dialogue will continue in the future.”
