NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh remain in talks about PM Tarique Rahman’s Delhi visit but the dates aren’t locked in, diplomatic sources said on Friday. They denied Rahman would travel to India in the next few days after a Rashtrapati Bhavan release seemed to indicate otherwise.The press release, which said that the change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt would not take place on Saturday due to the full rehearsal for “the ceremonial welcome of the PM of Bangladesh”, was later withdrawn. Amid confusion, the MEA said it had no update on the issue.Rahman’s press secretary A A M Saleh said there was no decision yet on the PM’s visit, reiterating that Dhaka awaited India’s response on extradition of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and other “fugitive criminals”.However, a visit by Tarique Rahman in early Sept is not ruled out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and also to participate in the Brics summit in Sept as Bimstec chair.According to Dhaka, talks to finalise dates for the summit this month were vitiated by Sheikh Hasina’s Aug 5 virtual news conference.
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Dhaka now seems to have hardened its position on the issue, linking the visit to an explicit commitment it expects from India on Hasina’s extradition proceedings.Bangladesh also expects India to address its concerns on issues such as border killings and water sharing, including the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which governs dry-season water allocation, and expires late 2026.“As you would be aware, the Ganga Water Treaty was signed in 1996 for a period of 30 years. All river-related issues between India and Bangladesh are discussed under the Joint Rivers Commission. Further, meetings of the joint committee under the Ganga Water Treaty continue to be held at the technical level,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, asked about JDU functionary Sanjay Jha’s statement that the treaty was not in Bihar’s interest.