New Delhi: Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Khalilur Rahman met with NSA Ajit Doval in the national capital on Wednesday, according to the Bangladesh High Commission. According to a statement from the Bangladesh High Commission, the two National Security Advisors discussed the conduct of the Colombo Security Conference and key bilateral issues. Rahman also invited NSA Doval to visit Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh High Commission statement said, “The Bangladeshi delegation led by National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman met with India’s National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval and his team in Delhi today to participate in the seventh NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conference (CSC). They discussed the work of the CSC and key bilateral issues. Dr. Rahman invited Mr. Doval to visit Bangladesh at his convenience.”
Rahman is leading the Bangladesh delegation for the seventh NSA CSC meet. The meeting comes amid strained relations following the ouster and death sentence of Sheikh Hasina. This meeting is the highest-level security meeting since the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus assumed power in Bangladesh in August 2024.
The main issue of contention is Bangladesh’s formal request to India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi tribunal.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday that India has taken note of the verdict delivered by the International Criminal Tribunal regarding former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and asserted that India is committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that India will always engage in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. The statement said, “India has noted the verdict delivered by the International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As a close neighbor, India is committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusiveness, and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders in this direction.”
On Monday afternoon, a Bangladesh court found ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of committing “crimes against humanity” during the July-August 2024 coup. Local media reported that International Criminal Tribunal-1 sentenced Hasina to death.
The timing of this meeting is significant, as general elections are expected in Bangladesh in about three months. India has publicly called for free, fair, inclusive, and participatory voting. This meeting reflects continued cooperation between the two countries despite current challenges. India expressed its commitment to Bangladesh’s stability and democracy, while Bangladesh seeks cooperation on security and economic issues.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in an official statement that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will host his counterparts from the Colombo Security Conference (CSC) member countries in the national capital on Thursday.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Ajit Doval will host his counterparts from member countries, including Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Seychelles will participate as an observer country, and Malaysia has been invited as a guest country.
The Colombo Security Conference was organized with the aim of promoting close cooperation among member countries on critical security matters and strengthening partnerships to enhance regional security in the Indian Ocean region. In keeping with this vision and objective, the 7th Meeting of National Security Advisors will be an opportunity for participants to review activities under various pillars of cooperation, namely maritime safety and security; counter-terrorism and radicalization; countering transnational organized crime; cybersecurity and critical infrastructure security; and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; and to discuss the roadmap and action plan for 2026.
