Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday that the government hoped that Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit would help to improve Bangladesh-India relations.
"We are hopeful about further strengthening our relationship with India. We aim to take our bilateral ties to a better place," he said during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
Replying to a question, Shafiqul Alam said that after following some procedure, the government will seek extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told the briefing that Education Minister Wahiduddin Mahmud's statement that elections may be held next year was his own and did not reflect any government decision.
Planning and Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said on Saturday that the interim government was temporary and Bangladesh may see a political government as early as next year.
"I don't know what will actually happen, but perhaps we will see a political government next year," he said.
Focusing on the Indian Foreign Secretary's visit, Shafiq said "Bangladesh seeks a partnership with India based on "equity and dignity," highlighting the long-standing historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between the two nations.
The visit, scheduled for tomorrow, will include foreign office consultations led by the foreign secretaries of both countries, focusing on a range of mutually significant issues.
"This will be an opportunity to discuss various matters of mutual interest," Shafiqul said in response to questions about the agenda for the meetings and Bangladesh's expectations from the visit.
This will be the first high-level diplomatic engagement with India since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours on issues including the alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
It is expected that relations will improve following Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Dhaka, he said.
"We are hopeful regarding improving the relationship," he added.
He reiterated that Bangladesh wanted a relationship with India based on "equity" and "dignity".
Alam added that both the countries had long historical, cultural and linguistic relations.
"We will have discussions on different matters of mutual interest," he said.
