NEW DELHI: India firmly supports a free, fair, inclusive and participatory national election in Bangladesh at the earliest possible time, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Monday while noting that matters related former PM Sheikh Hasina are “judicial and legal” in nature and requires “consultations” between the two neighbours.In December last year, Bangladesh sent a note verbale to India requesting the extradition of Hasina, who fled on Aug 5 amid massive protests against her Awami League government.“We are examining these issues. We look forward to working together with Bangladesh authorities on these issues,” he said while responding to a question during an interaction with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh, here.Recently, Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus had slammed India for “backing” Hasina, saying ties are strained because New Delhi didn’t like last year’s developments. “They are hosting Hasina who created all the problems and killed young people (to quell protests),” he said.On whether the events of last year — which led to a decline in India-Bangladesh ties — hindered “engagements” with the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt, Misri said, “That hasn’t prevented us from working with or engaging authorities.”Asked about reports of New Delhi trying to reinstate Hasina — being tried in absentia for “crimes against humanity” back home — and her banned party, Misri said India is only in favour of an early election in Bangladesh for an opportunity for people to express their mandate to the popularly elected govt. “We remain ready to engage with any government that emerges from this election with a popular mandate,” he said.Though Misri acknowledged there are “some issues” in the India-Bangladesh relationship, he said it is rooted in strong cultural, linguistic, religious and historical ties, and is “time-tested”. He said India’s approach towards Bangladesh has always been pragmatic.Referring to the Feb timeframe to hold the poll, Misri said the next steps in Bangladesh’s internal political process will be closely watched regionally and globally.On Dhaka’s stake in regional peace, progress and stability, he expressed confidence that Bangladesh recognises its importance. He denied commenting on the uptick in ties between Dhaka and Islamabad.
