The political and security issues still dominate Dhaka–New Delhi relations over social and economic issues since the ouster of dictator of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, said diplomats, policy makers and business leaders.

As Dhaka and New Delhi have signed extradition treaties and handed over criminals and political terrorists in the past, New Delhi is most unlikely to hand over Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh as India considers Awami League president as the most trusted partner of the largest South Asian country. Being Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina served the Indian interest during her 15-year plus rule ranging between January 2009-August 5, 2024, said a Bangladesh diplomat.    

Sheikh Hasina, the long-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stepped down on August 5, 2024 and left the country amid massive student protests, leaving the economy of Bangladesh into a total mess.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian politicians are concerned over the protection of minorities and Indian investment and establishments in Bangladesh after dictator Sheikh Hasina was ousted through a massive student movement

The tenure of the present interim government is less than three months as Prof Muhammad Yunus took oath as the head of the interim government on August 8, 2024.   

As the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued an arrest warrant against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last week for her alleged involvement in July –August killings, Dhaka will urge New Delhi to eradicate Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh.  

Meanwhile, Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), said on Thursday the court had issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others, ordering that they attend court by November 18, according to The Daily Star local newspaper.

“Sheikh Hasina was at the helm of those who committed massacres, killings and crimes against humanity in July to August,” Islam said, referring to a crackdown on student protests, which killed more than 1,000 people, according to the interim Health Ministry.

The student-led movement began with demonstrations demanding the government abolish its practice of reserving a third of civil service jobs for relatives of war veterans, before spiralling into wider protests calling for Hasina’s resignation.

Human rights groups accused the prime minister of using excessive force against protesters, a charge she denied.

Meanwhile, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina went to India for safety reasons on 5 August and is still living there.

Spokesperson for India's foreign ministry Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the matter when the issue of her stay was brought to his attention.

"I had earlier mentioned that she had come here at short notice for safety reasons, and she continues to be here," he said in a weekly briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

Sheikh Hasina has been in India since she fled Bangladesh following her ouster on 5 August.

The International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant against her, prompting questions of extradition.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain also told the media that necessary preparations would be taken following the ICT directive.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi patients spend 2.00-3.00 US dollars in medical expenses in different hospitals in India per year. India has squeezed the regular visa process since July 2024 with no sign of normalizing this year, sources in Dhaka, Kolkata, Bombay and New Delhi said.   

Though the data of Bangladeshi tourist arrivals in India during the July-October period are available, Bangladesh secured the top position during the first six months of this year (2024), according to data of the Union Tourism Ministry of India.

During the first six months of this year (2024), India welcomed nearly 4.78 million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs), with Bangladesh and the US being the top source countries, according to data available from the Union Tourism Ministry.

This reflects a 9.1 per cent increase from the same period in 2023, although it still trails pre-pandemic levels from 2019, which recorded over 5.29 million FTAs.

The FTAs in June 2024 were 7,06,045 as compared to 6,48,008 in June 2023 and 7,26,446 in June 2019 registering a growth of nine per cent and a fall of 2.8 per cent with respect to 2023 and 2019 respectively, according to the data released by the Ministry on the occasion of the World Tourism Day marked on Friday.

“The FTAs during the period January- June 2024 were 47,78,374 as compared to 43,80,239 in January-June 2023 and 52,96,025 in January-June 2019 registering a growth of 9.1 per cent and -9.8 per cent with respect to 2023 and 2019 respectively,” it added.

According to the data on the percentage share of FTAs in India during January-June 2024, among the top five source countries were -- Bangladesh (21.55 per cent), the US (17.56 per cent), the UK (9.82 per cent), Canada (4.5 per cent) and Australia (4.32 per cent).

The FTAs trend for the month of June 2024 was similar with Bangladesh (28.49 per cent) occupying the first spot among the top five source countries, followed by the US (22.59 per cent), the UK (6.10 per cent), Australia (3.74 per cent) and Canada (3.01 per cent), as per the data shared by the ministry.

In June 2024 alone, FTAs reached 706,045, up from 648,008 in June 2023 but slightly down from 726,446 in June 2019. The increase in foreign exchange earnings, which rose to USD 15.339 billion for January-June 2024, suggests that spending per tourist is higher despite the overall lower number of arrivals.

Leisure travel remains the primary motivation for visitors, with the ministry emphasising the need for vigilance in monitoring and encouraging travelers to report symptoms of illnesses. Notably, recent geopolitical tensions could impact the recovery of inbound tourism.

The Indian Ministry also announced the winners of the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024, recognising 36 villages for their contributions to tourism.

Overall, while inbound tourism is on the rise, it continues to face challenges in fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels, said the experts in the sector.

“We are closest neighbours, and both the countries have interdependence. Goodwill and efforts are required from both sides, and I think we'll return to a normal state of interaction soon," he said.

Since the ouster of dictator Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, the India-Bangladesh relations show no sign of improvement as India has restricted issuing visa to Bangladeshis on national security ground, sources in Dhaka and New Delhi.

Spokesperson of India's foreign ministry Randhir Jaiswal  responding to a question of an Indian  reporter said the High commission of India in Bangladesh will start issuing visas at normal speed after law and order situation improves in Bangladesh and conducive situations prevail.

On the matter of visas for Bangladeshis, Jaiswal said limited visa operations were on, with medical and emergency visas being given.

"When the law and order improves [in Bangladesh] and the situation becomes conducive for full visa operations, we will do that," he said.

Jaiswal, also, called upon the interim government to ensure that assurances given over the protection of minorities be implemented so that "people can feel safe".

"We issued some statements during the puja celebrations. We saw there was a lot of violence against the minority community, against Hindu community. There was violence against puja pandals," he said.

Former Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA and incumbent President of the Bangladesh Economic Enterprise (BEI) M Humayun Kabir while talking to the correspondent said that New Delhi should understand the mindset of the Bangladesh youth in relations with Dhaka in the new perspective.

He said that US President Joe Biden has stepped down from the US presidential election sensing the mindset of the youths.  

Former ambassador M Humayun Kabir says he senses what he calls an "adjustment or understanding gap" between the two countries, and the question of extraditing the former PM will complicate things.

"Yes, there might be some stress in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India because of the special relationship of India with Sheikh Hasina. Although there is an extradition treaty between the two countries, the final decision to hand her over to Bangladesh authorities will be a political one. The decision will require a lot of thinking and courage and so on," he said.

"But the communication between the two countries at the diplomatic level is uninterrupted. We've seen Indian Premier Narendra Modi congratulate Dr Mohammad Yunus as soon as he (the latter) took oath as the chief adviser to the interim government. However, I sense an adjustment or understanding gap in the relations, as there is a disruption in rhythm vis-a-vis their usual relations with Bangladesh," the former ambassador said.

"Bangladesh used to speak to India in a 'wavelength' (tone) under the leadership of Hasina, but now the wavelength has changed," he explained.

The interim government of Bangladesh has made it clear that the country will pursue a relationship with India on a footing of equality and fairness.

Asked about India's silence over Bangladesh's request for a meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, Humayun Kabir is hopeful that the meeting might be held eventually.

Shahidus Sadeque, Director Operations at Holiday Inn Dhaka City Center, while talking to The Dazzling Dawn said he needs to visit India to have treatment of his wife at the Indian hospital. As the High Commission of India in Bangladesh is not issuing medical visas at previous level (that was in practice during the regime of Sheikh Hasina), the treatment of his wife is delayed.

A Bangladeshi court has ordered the arrest of self-exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India more than two months ago after being toppled in a student-led uprising.

India providing a travel pass to ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina will not deteriorate the ties between the two countries, said Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain recently.

"Any country can issue a travel document to any individual. We have no way to prevent this. However, if a court orders her [Sheikh Hasina] to appear, we will take appropriate measures," he said during a visit to the Sheba Sangha Temple in Narsingdi.

Several media reports suggest that the Indian government issued a travel document for Sheikh Hasina. This document will allow her to travel overseas by obtaining a visa from any country, according to India-based newspaper Ei Samay.

The foreign adviser mentioned that good relations between neighbouring countries are important for both.

"There were some discomforts with India, which we will try to overcome. The existing relationship between us will be maintained. It is necessary to develop relations for both. India needs us as much as we need them," he said.

Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today alleged that India is supporting crimes and pampering killers by providing refuge to Sheikh Hasina.

"Our neighbouring country clearly said Sheikh Hasina is there. Their statement seems like they behaved like a Big Brother," he said.

Talking to reporters at Ziaur Rahman's grave, Rizvi described Sheikh Hasina as the greatest terrorist and murderer.

"Who could be a greater terrorist than one who can drink children's blood? Sheltering her (Hasina) means supporting crime, injustice, and pampering murderers," he said.

Stating Bangladesh has signed the extradition treaty with India, the BNP leader said the interim government can take steps to bring Hasina back home through diplomatic efforts since a warrant for her arrest has been issued by a court.

"Such a matter can be resolved through diplomatic discussions for her extradition. If not, the top terrorists in Bangladesh will find opportunities to take shelter in India and other countries," he said.

On the occasion of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation's silver jubilee, Rizvi, together with members of the organisation, paid homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave.

India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal at a press briefing on Thursday said they have seen reports about the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh issuing a warrant for the arrest of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August uprising but declined to offer any comment.

"She (Hasina) had come here on a short notice. No change in her status. She continues to stay here," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding a recent statement by India regarding security concerns for Hindus, Bangladesh has issued a response stating that the government finds such allegations baseless and assertions uncalled for.

"The interim government would like to reassure the international community that it continues to do its best to uphold the long standing secular and inclusive credentials of the people of Bangladesh," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  recently.

The ministry said the attention of the government has been drawn to a statement by spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs of India on 12 October, calling upon "….the government of Bangladesh to ensure safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time."

The same statement also alleges "…a systemic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities…"

"There were just a handful of incidents reported on which the government authorities acted promptly in ensuring safety and security of Hindus and other minorities throughout the festival times," said the ministry.

Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence remains a time-honoured feature of liberalism and democracy in Bangladesh uniting all people, it stated, adding that the government attests in strongest terms that every individual regardless of his/her faith, religion or belief has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals or practices, without any hindrance.

"This was vindicated by peaceful observance of Durga Puja in over 32,000 Puja Mandaps that were spontaneously set up across Bangladesh."

Mentioning the reported theft of a golden crown at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in the southern Bangladesh district of Satkhira on 10 October, the ministry said it had been confirmed that the head priest performed his regular puja rites until 2:30pm till which time the crown was intact inside the temple.

"Investigations are underway to determine as to why the priest and temple staff left such a precious possession unguarded and insecure. Four individuals have already been arrested in connection with the theft case."

"Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities, in Bangladesh remains a duty of the government of Bangladesh.

"Upholding the rights of every citizen regardless of one's identity, religion or faith must be recognized as an internal affair of Bangladesh," said the government.