United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said there is no lack of diplomatic efforts to bring back former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to the country to face trial but acknowledged that it takes time. "What she (Hasina) is saying is not relevant at all. Our efforts are underway to bring her back," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister said the Home and Law Ministries will look into whether there are any complexities on legal grounds. She said the three ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working afresh since the formation of the new government in February this year, though the initial process began during the interim government. The State Minister said the people of Bangladesh want former prime minister Sheikh Hasina extradited. Reiterating its desire to engage constructively, India on April 17 said it is examining the request for Hasina's extradition as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. "There is a request.....the request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes," Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi, noting that India will continue to engage constructively on the issue with all the stakeholders. Bangladesh, on April 8, reiterated its request to extradite Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to Bangladesh, both of whom have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal. "We will continue to seek her extradition through a transparent judicial process. It (the extradition request) has been discussed. It will be dealt with through a transparent judicial process," Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir told reporters recently in Dhaka.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Friday said the government of India has not yet given any positive response on Bangladesh’s request to extradite ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We want Sheikh Hasina to be sent back. She is convicted, and the highest judicial institution has sentenced her. But we have not received any positive response as yet,” he told journalists at Rangpur Circuit House in the morning. He said that such matters take time. “In these cases, changes don’t happen overnight. We will wait and see what response we receive from the Indian authorities. The reaction from India is being monitored. So far, we only know that India is examining the issue." Responding to a question about BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, the adviser said he had no information about this. “His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, has probably reached Dhaka. Begum Zia is not being taken to London today because of a technical problem in the aircraft,” he added. Commenting on the detention of Bangladeshi fishermen by the Arakan Army, Touhid Hossain said the group is “not a state actor”, making bilateral talks difficult. “However, since our interests are involved, the matter is being looked into. Not everything can be disclosed, but steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future or reduce their frequency,” he said. The adviser said a proposed 1,000-bed hospital funded by China, originally planned for Dhaka, will now be built in Nilphamari. Delhi examining request for Hasina’s extradition; Dhaka expects response “The plan is designed so that people from India, Bhutan, and other neighbouring countries can also receive treatment here in addition to residents of the Rangpur region,” he said. He said the biggest challenge for Rangpur is the lack of factories and businesses, adding that the government is working to expand employment opportunities. Touhid Hossain said the government aims to hand over responsibility to elected representatives in a manner that allows them to “take the country forward on the desired path within one to one and a half years.” He mentioned that people have high expectations—that we should complete all reforms. But this is a long-term process. “Those who come to power in the future should be able to reflect the will of the people. We hope they will ensure equality and balanced development across the country.” The adviser arrived in Rangpur on a four-day visit. On Friday, he will visit key establishments in the city. Dhaka expects answer from Delhi on Hasina's extradition: Foreign Adviser On Saturday morning, he will exchange views with officials of the Rangpur administration before visiting Rangpur Cadet College in the afternoon. On Sunday (December 7) afternoon, he will meet teachers and students of Magura High School in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari, before returning to Dhaka from Syedpur Airport.