India's National Security Adviser Holds Crucial Talks with Bangladesh Counterpart Amid Tensions

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India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with his Bangladeshi counterpart Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday to discuss bilateral issues, just two days after a Bangladeshi tribunal sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity. The highly anticipated meeting took place in Delhi and is seen as significant, given the current tensions between the two countries. The talks come ahead of the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave, a forum that promotes cooperation between member states, including India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The conclave aims to strengthen regional security in the Indian Ocean region, where China's influence is growing. Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation to the meeting, which also discussed key bilateral issues. He extended an invitation to Doval to visit Bangladesh at his convenience. The meeting assumes importance, as Bangladesh's foreign ministry has demanded that India hand over Hasina under a bilateral extradition treaty. Hasina was convicted of inciting, facilitating, and failing to prevent crimes against civilians by law enforcement and armed cadres of the Awami League party. She has denied the allegations, saying the trial was unfair and aimed at nullifying the Awami League as a political force. Bangladesh's foreign ministry has also demanded the extradition of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was given the death sentence along with Hasina. The Indian side has been non-committal on the demand, saying it will engage with all stakeholders in Dhaka for peace, democracy, and stability in Bangladesh. The Colombo Security Conclave is set to meet on November 20, with Seychelles participating as an observer state and Malaysia invited as a guest. The meeting is a crucial step in promoting regional security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.