India currently examining Hasina’s extradition issue: Touhid

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Friday said the Indian government is currently examining the matter of extraditing Sheikh Hasina.

“We have repeatedly asked India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. How they view the issue within their procedures is their internal affairs. But we remain firm in our position,” he told journalists at the Circuit House in Rangpur on Friday morning upon arriving for a four-day visit.

The foreign adviser said he had no information regarding BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return.

The adviser asserted that China's assistance in building the hospital in Nilphamari will cater to the entire Rangpur region.

Noting that the interim government does not have much time left, he said they will continue to work for the development of the Rangpur region as long as they are in office.

He added that they will give serious consideration to issues including employment.

The adviser announced that elections will take place in February, following which they will transfer responsibilities. The government has several plans to advance the relatively underdeveloped Rangpur region, the Foreign Affairs adviser mentioned.

He expressed hope that the elected government will implement the plans the current administration is putting in place.

“The northern region lags behind compared to other parts of the country. The entire cabinet is working with that in mind. We remain alert to ensuring that development disparities are reduced quickly,” Touhid continued.

He further said, “We are here for a short period. The elected government will continuously implement the plans we are laying out.

During his four-day visit, the Foreign Affairs Adviser is scheduled to inspect several important locations in Rangpur and Nilphamari.