Seeking convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said the relations between Bangladesh and India would not get stuck over a single issue.

He said Bangladesh’s efforts will also continue in line with its demands for Teesta water sharing deal and halting border killings, stressing that one issue is not dependent on another issue. 

“Since she (Hasina) is convicted, we surely want her extradition to implement the punishment. I do not think other issues will get stuck for this (Hasina) issue,” Adviser Hossain said while responding to a question at ‘DCAB Talk’ at Jatiya Press Club.

Regarding convicted former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, he said they know he is also in India but the government of Bangladesh is not officially notified.

The Adviser said he has no information that the extradition will begin with the return of Kamal.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the ‘DCAB Talk’ titled ‘Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Charting a Relevant Role in a Changing World’. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Md Arifuzzaman Manun also spoke at the event.

Adviser Hossain said they always said that Bangladesh’s desire to have a good working relationship with India. “We always want a good working relationship with India based on mutual respect and interests. We remain stuck in this position.”

He said there was a warm relationship between the two governments during the past regime where people’s role was limited.

The Adviser said the previous regime could not solve the Teesta and border killing issues in the 15 years of the previous regime. “I don’t want to say it was a warm relationship but there was a kind of relationship.”

Talking about Dhaka’s relations with New Delhi, Adviser Hossain said that neighbouring India likely needs some time to adjust to the new realities following the changes brought about by the July mass uprising. He expressed optimism that working relations between the two countries will normalise soon.

Responding to a question, Adviser Hossain said the relationship with Pakistan was deliberately kept in a bad situation. “Our decision was to establish a normal relationship with Pakistan, nothing extraordinary.”

He said it serves Bangladesh’s interest when Bangladesh gets an alternative source for its imports like cotton and onion.

India on Wednesday said it has received a request from Bangladesh for the extradition of Hasina, stating that the request is being examined.

“Yes, we have received the request and this request is being examined,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters while responding to a question at a regular briefing in New Delhi.

He said they, as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes, remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in ‘peace, democracy, inclusion and stability’ in that country.

The MEA spokesperson reiterated that they will always engage ‘constructively’ with all stakeholders to that end.

Bangladesh wrote to India afresh seeking Hasina’s extradition following the recent verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 against her. Bangladesh expects an answer from India on its latest request for extradition of Hasina.

Adviser Hossain said the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to the Ministry of External Affairs, India through Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

He also acknowledged that Bangladesh did not receive a reply from India on its first request for extradition last year.

On November 17, the ICT sentenced Hasina and Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison.