Khalilur meets India's NSA Ajit Doval in Delhi

Bangladesh's National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman has held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on his visit to Delhi.

According to a Bangladesh High Commission statement on Wednesday, Khalilur led Bangladesh's delegation to the seventh National Security Advisor-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) and met Doval and his team to discuss CSC matters and key bilateral issues, bdnews24 reports.

The statement did not disclose the topics discussed in the meeting. Khalilur has extended an invitation to Doval for a visit to Bangladesh at his convenience, according to the statement.

Khalilur is in India to participate in the five-country regional NSA conference of the Indian Ocean region and serves as the high representative on Rohingya and priority issues for Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

Although scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, Khalilur reached Delhi a day early and is set to attend the CSC meeting on Thursday.

The meeting comes amid tensions between India and the interim government, which took office after the July Uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina's administration on Aug 5 last year. Hasina then reportedly took refuge in India, with Indian media noting her stay as a "guest" of the government.

Since then, the interim government has accused Hasina of attempting to destabilise Bangladesh from Delhi, while India has raised concerns over the security of minority communities in Bangladesh, calling for protective measures.

Bangladesh, in turn, has criticised Indian media for disseminating "false and exaggerated" reports.

Diplomatic tensions have included exchanges over border issues and statements attributed to Hasina from Delhi, alongside retaliatory trade restrictions. On May 17, India halted imports of Bangladeshi garments and processed foods via land border points.

On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina and her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in connection with crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

The government has urged Delhi to extradite the convicts in line with the bilateral extradition treaty, citing India's "legal obligations".
Following the verdict, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that providing refuge to the convicts would be unfriendly and demeaning to justice.

Interim government advisors Touhid Hossain and Asif Nazrul said a formal request for Hasina's return would be sent to India again.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, in a measured statement, refrained from commenting on the tribunal verdict, reiterating Delhi's commitment to Bangladesh's "best interests" and willingness to engage constructively with all stakeholders to advance peace, democracy, inclusivity, and stability.