NCP spokesperson and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said Bangladesh should not pursue normal diplomatic relations with India before resolving the question of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. In a statement issued Monday night, August 11, he alleged that India has allowed Hasina to use its territory for anti-Bangladesh activities for the past two years. He described this as a direct affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty, judiciary and people’s democratic mandate.

Nahid alleged that a purported press conference by Hasina in Delhi, held despite Bangladesh’s objections, showed no fundamental change in India’s allegedly domineering and aggressive policy toward Bangladesh. He criticized Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry for issuing a statement but, in his view, failing to secure effective accountability from India. He also said no public explanation or expression of regret over the August 5 incident emerged after the prime minister met the Indian high commissioner.

He called for formal diplomatic protest to be turned into effective action. Nahid sought a clear explanation and apology from India, extradition of Hasina and Osman Hadi’s killers, and assurances that anti-Bangladesh political activities would stop from Indian territory. He said efforts by Bangladesh’s head of government to normalize bilateral ties would be meaningless if the Awami League could continue political and anti-state activities from India.