Bangladesh has put Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Delhi on hold for the time being, saying that a “conducive environment” needs to be created before the visit can take place.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson A.K.M. Shahidul Karim disclosed the position during a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier, Indian media reports had suggested that Tarique Rahman could travel to India for a two-day visit in the middle of next week. Officials in Dhaka had also indicated last week that preparations were underway for a possible visit by the prime minister.

However, Shahidul Karim said Bangladesh had asked Indian authorities to take action under the bilateral extradition treaty.

He said, “Under the bilateral extradition treaty, we have requested the Indian authorities to quickly repatriate Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals and hand over the alleged killers accused in the murder of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi to Bangladesh. Bangladesh is waiting for their response.”

Indian Lok Sabha Speaker, who attended Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony in Bangladesh, had earlier conveyed a formal invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for him to visit India.

There was also another invitation from India. Tarique Rahman, as the current chair of BIMSTEC, was invited to attend the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi in September this year.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman recently disclosed the invitations following a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the Indian High Commissioner. At the time, he said Bangladesh had not yet made any decision regarding the visits.

Meanwhile, reports citing sources in the authorities of both countries had emerged in Bangladeshi and Indian media suggesting that the prime minister could visit Delhi in the third week of August.

The latest statement from the Foreign Ministry, however, indicates that Dhaka is waiting for India’s response on the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives, as well as the handover of those accused in the murder of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, before moving ahead with the proposed visit.