DHAKA: Former PM Sheikh Hasina no longer holds any relevance in Bangladesh's political landscape, Dhaka said on Monday, ahead of foreign minister Khalilur Rahman two-day "goodwill trip" to India, beginning Tuesday. Bangladesh has requested the extradition of Hasina, who fled to India on Aug 5, 2024, amid protests against her govt.
"It's a new relationship between Bangladesh and India. There is nothing like Hasina's Awami League in Bangladesh now. Hasina is non-existent. She died politically long days ago," Bangladesh PM's foreign affairs adviser Humaiun Kobir told reporters after a meeting between PM Tarique Rahman and Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma. Emphasising the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties with India, "stepping out from one-person-centric relations", he said sustained openness and candid dialogue between the two sides could help address "several longstanding challenges".
