With no official confirmation from his office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s reported trip to India this weekend remains uncertain, fueling speculation that the shadow of Sheikh Hasina’s continued presence in New Delhi is stalling bilateral diplomatic momentum.
While asked about the Bangladesh PM's visit to India, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that he had no updates.
Dhaka also responded, saying that no official decision has been taken yet. "No decision has been made yet on his India visit", the prime minister's Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly told PTI.
He also added that they are waiting for New Delhi's response to its request to extradite deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and "other fugitive criminals" currently staying in India.
Earlier on Friday, Rashtrapati Bhavan withdrew an official communication that mentioned the cancellation of Saturday's Change of Guard ceremony to accommodate the full rehearsal of Rahman's ceremonial welcome.
Later, Rashtrapati Bhavan withdrew the notice, saying that the press release issued on Friday on the subject "No Change of Guard Ceremony this Saturday" stands withdrawn.
Reportedly planned for August 23 and 24, Rahman's visit to India fell through over undisclosed issues. The MEA had earlier announced an invitation for him to conduct a bilateral visit and join the BRICS summit outreach session in New Delhi.
Relations between the two countries came under some fresh strain after former PM Sheikh Hasina held a virtual media interaction in New Delhi on August 5. After Hasina's interaction, Dhaka reiterated its demand for her extradition and even sought to link it with Rahman's possible visit to India.
Following the media event, India distanced itself from the proceedings, stating that New Delhi had neither played a role in the session nor endorsed Hasina's comments.
Hasina was ousted from power in August 2024 following violent student-led protests. Since fleeing Dhaka, she has been living in India.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi recently met with Bangladesh's top political leaders, including PM Rahman, emphasising the need for a conducive environment to further strengthen bilateral ties.
On Monday, Trivedi said the Bangladesh premier's visit to India should take place much sooner despite "our differences". "Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," Trivedi told a dinner hosted in his honour by the honorary consul general of a European country.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry earlier said that Dhaka wants a "favourable and propitious environment" before any top-level trip.
It said weeks of diplomatic discussions over the potential bilateral visit were severely disrupted and complicated by Hasina's virtual press conference on August 5, 2026.
