Bangladesh will take measures to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is exiled in India, said the chief adviser of the interim government. Muhammad Yunus. He said this in a special interview given to the Indian media 'The Hindu'. The interview was published in the online edition of The Hindu on Monday (November 18). In the interview, he presented his views on relations with India and plans for reform. Yunus.
On the occasion of 100 days of the interim government, in an interview given to The Hindu at the residence of the Chief Advisor in Dhaka, Dr. Yunus.
Dr. Yunus termed various reports on the security of Hindus and other minorities and the rise of extremism as 'propaganda'. The issue has caused severe criticism from India and the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since August 5. His presence is creating problems in (India-Bangladesh) relations… The Hindu journalist Suhasini Haider said in response to such a question. Muhammad Yunus said, 'The former prime minister's stay in India is not a problem. But his talk about Bangladesh is a problem. He is talking to the people of Bangladesh. And they are about politics. He continues his political activities, that is the problem.'
Hindu journalist's question, 'How is that?'
Dr. in the answer. Yunus said, “She (Sheikh Hasina) is asking people to come out of the house. They are asking to protest on the streets of Dhaka and other cities. His audio is spreading. There he asks people to carry a picture of the newly elected US President Donald Trump (as a shield). If the police stop them, they can say that the government of Bangladesh is against the United States. It is interference in the internal and external affairs of other countries.'
'Your government has contacted Interpol to bring him back to the country… Why was this request not made directly to India? There is a bilateral system in this case.' In response to Suhasini's question. Yunus said, 'We will use all legal means to bring him back.'
The Hindu journalist asked, 'Actually, your government has not yet requested his extradition. There is an extradition treaty between the two countries.' In response, the chief counsel said, 'I think we are taking legal steps in that direction, but we are not yet at that stage.'
The question is, 'What if India rejects the request on the grounds that the prosecution is being politically motivated?' Dr. in response. Yunus said, 'Are you saying that India will violate the agreement? Yes, there are clauses in the contract. But if the Indian government uses them to keep her (Sheikh Hasina) there, it will not build good relations between us. The tenure of our interim government is very short lived. So maybe everything between Bangladesh and India cannot be settled at this time. But whatever government comes after us, they will not forgive this.'
'The journalist's question, do you think India-Bangladesh relations will progress smoothly in other matters? Recently we have seen some initiatives in energy and trade linkages.' In response, Dr. Yunus said, 'Our dream is to create a relationship similar to the European Union. (EU countries have freedom of travel and trade). What you mentioned is a good indication and we want to move in that direction. But it is still far from our ultimate goal. We want a unity of very close relationship. We were born to be together like twins.'
