The “principal challenge” in planning a visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India are the activities of deposed premier Sheikh Hasina and her team who are based in India, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Humaiyun Kobir on Monday (October 5, 2026).
Responding to questions from The Hindu on the sidelines of the ongoing Bay of Bengal Conversation organised by Dhaka’s Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), Mr. He further argued that activities of the exiled leaders of the Awami League will not help India. “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. Sheikh Hasina and her team are stationed in Delhi and they are trying to destabilise a foreign country sitting in Delhi. Kobir calling on India to restrain Ms. Hasina and her team. Mr Kobir accused Ms. “We are seeing some positive signs as India is trying to restrain them. That is the norm between two countries. “The visit of Prime Minister will take place at a conducive time and I am hopeful. Kobir highlighting the role of Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in this regard. “The Indian High Commissioner here is doing a good role. He is trying and hopefully Delhi will be receptive to his opinion and if they give importance to his opinion, then we are ready to engage across the board. “Our foreign policy must respond to the changes in Bangladesh. We seek engagement with all based on mutual respect and mutual benefit and national interest. Kobir delivering his speech where he did not mention India or any other global partners of his country. India likes its strategic autonomy. Bangladesh too likes its strategic autonomy. This idea is more about what we require.”
Hasina that ruled for more than 15 years.
Kobir emphasised the importance of “strategic autonomy” for Bangladesh and said India has to appreciate the “challenges of a newly elected government” in Bangladesh. This does not benefit India either,” said Mr. Hasina of killing around 2,000 Bangladeshi citizens during the crackdown of the uprising of July-August 2024 and described her as a “terrorist”. He said that Bangladesh’s people need a “clean break” from the past as they have sacrificed lives in the process of overthrowing the previous government of Ms. He, however, said there are ongoing talks with India that have been welcomed in Dhaka. If they (Hasina and her team) are restrained, then there will be no problem in the [bilateral] relationship,” said Mr Kobir asserting that ties with India are a priority for Dhaka. PM has never said that he will not visit [India],” said Mr. We are carrying out our consultations,” said Mr. Kobir describing the Awami League leadership as a “hindrance” to normalisation of Delhi-Dhaka ties. The State Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Bangladesh is ready to discuss all issues but expects some “reciprocation”. “When two governments sit down to discuss keeping in mind national interests, all issues can be addressed,” he said arguing that Bangladesh will not allow anyone to work against India’s interest sitting in Dhaka and he expects similar action from India. We want a strong partnership but we also want strategic autonomy,” said Mr. Later, speaking to The Hindu , he elaborated on his idea of strategic autonomy and said, “Every country likes strategic autonomy.
