Hasina non-existent in our political landscape: Dhaka

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". In his meeting with Rahman, in which Khalilur was also present, Verma conveyed to the Bangladesh PM that India is willing to rebuild ties with Dhaka with a "forward-looking approach". Verma also conveyed that "India's intent to work together with the govt and people of Bangladesh by adopting a positive, constructive and forward-looking approach and based on mutual interest and mutual benefit".