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Hasina, Quader extradition key to easing Bangladesh-India ties: Zahed
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 16 Sep 2026, 12:00 AM
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the return of fugitives and convicted persons, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former minister Obaidul Quader, from India is a key condition for easing Bangladesh-India relations.
“We hope that the Indian government will hand them over to us,” he said, making the government’s position clear while answering questions from journalists at a press briefing on the activities of various ministries and current issues.
The issue was also raised during a courtesy call on the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Zahed said at the briefing held at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat.
“During our meeting with the high commissioner, we clearly raised the issue of bringing back Sheikh Hasina and all other fugitives now living in India,” he said, urging the Indian government to consider the matter seriously in the interest of strengthening working relations with Bangladesh.
Asked whether Bangladesh was also seeking the return of Obaidul Quader and other accused persons alongside Hasina, Zahed said, “If we are seeking Sheikh Hasina, why would we not seek Obaidul Quader and others as well?”
“Our message to the Indian government is that this is a very crucial condition for easing relations with Bangladesh,” he said, adding that what he described as Hasina’s brutality was not confined to the July uprising but continued for years, with many people allegedly involved.
Regarding statements made by Hasina on Facebook and other platforms, Zahed said such statements and advice were seriously hurting the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh.
“We hope that the Indian government will understand this sentiment and sensitivity of the people of Bangladesh and hand them over to us,” he said.
Ensuring justice for crimes committed during the Awami League rule is the top priority of the incumbent government, Zahed said.
“BNP suffered the most under the Awami mafia rule and it is now at the helm of the state. There will be no compromise on justice. Anyone accused may appear before the court, as the judiciary is now functioning with complete independence,” he said.
Responding to another question, Zahed said the upcoming local government elections would be held in a participatory manner without party symbols.
On the government’s plan to send 10,000 workers to Malaysia free of cost, he said the information was accurate according to data provided by the respective ministry.
He also underscored the need for a change in mindset among officials and the public to ensure better citizen services, saying the use of the word “sir” should not be mandatory in government offices.