Official decisions regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India remain unconfirmed as Bangladesh awaits New Delhi's response to diplomatic concerns recently raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

"No decision has been made yet [regarding the PM’s visit]," Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh (Saleh Shibly) informed the media on Friday.

The statement followed reports in Indian media, including Indian newspaper The Indian Express, suggesting that the Prime Minister was anticipated to travel to New Delhi between August 23 and 25.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities briefly published and subsequently withdrew an official statement referencing preparations for the visit at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

A press release issued Friday afternoon by the Indian President’s Secretariat through India’s Press Information Bureau at 2:25 pm stated that the Change of Guard Ceremony at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan scheduled for Saturday (August 22) was cancelled to accommodate a full rehearsal for the ceremonial welcome of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. The notice was retracted shortly thereafter.

On August 16, Bangladesh formally requested Indian authorities to act expeditiously on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive suspects, while also demanding the handover of the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in alignment with their bilateral extradition treaty.

"We are awaiting their response," stated MoFA spokesperson A.K.M. Shahidul Karim during a written press statement, adding that bilateral communications regarding a prospective official visit had been ongoing for weeks. However, Karim noted that this process was "vitiated" by an open press interaction in New Delhi on August 5 involving Sheikh Hasina, who stands convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. "We have made our position clear on this matter," he added, without taking questions.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir emphasized on Thursday that any inaugural official visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India should take place as a standalone bilateral engagement rather than on the sidelines of multilateral forums like the BRICS Summit or the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“The first visit should be bilateral. We should invite each other to our homes, understand?” Humaiun Kobir stated while addressing journalists at his office, reiterating that both neighbors hold significant regional importance.

Adviser Humaiun stressed that diplomatic exchanges require clear outcomes, mutual respect, and foundational groundwork before consensus can be reached. “There are issues related to the interests of the two countries and these are not something to rush into,” he remarked.

“When we see that the timing is right, we are willing to visit.”

Humaiun Kobir added that recent discussions have shown positive movement from the Indian side alongside an understanding of how the political developments of August 5 impacted public sentiment in Bangladesh.

“If India truly means resetting relations, then it must realise today’s Bangladesh,” Humaiun noted, stating that "in today’s Bangladesh, a terrorist like Sheikh Hasina or her party does not exist." He concluded, “So, by recognizing this reality, we have to take the relationship forward.”

Indian media outlet The Print noted that India's commitment to accord Prime Minister Tarique Rahman an "honorable welcome" signaled clear intent, placing the next diplomatic step on Dhaka.

Speaking on Tuesday night, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi urged both nations to look past existing differences and build a framework rooted in "mutual and unconditional trust."

“I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” Dinesh Trivedi stated.

The envoy conveyed a personal assurance from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following recent consultations in New Delhi.

“After meeting the Prime Minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our Prime Minister. He (PM Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” Dinesh Trivedi said, quoting PM Modi as adding: “You can tell them on my behalf that you have the Prime Minister of India’s assurance that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves.”

The envoy noted that the visit would yield tangible benefits for citizens and commerce across both countries.

Regarding the extradition request for Sheikh Hasina, the Indian government maintained that the application remains under review within relevant judicial and legal frameworks.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed during a Friday evening briefing in New Delhi that formal invitations had been extended to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister for both a bilateral visit and an outreach session at the upcoming BRICS Summit.

“So, these invitations have been extended, and I shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard,” Randhir Jaiswal added.

With Inputs from UNB