As former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina plans to return to Dhaka from her self-imposed exile, India on Tuesday responded cautiously, saying there was no change in New Delhi’s approach to the issue.
Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka after her government collapsed in August 2024 following weeks of student-led anti-government protests. She said in a recent interview that she plans to return to Bangladesh, where she faces a death sentence, by December this year and surrender herself to judicial authorities.
“There is no change in our approach towards this issue. Any extradition issue is a legal issue and will be dealt with accordingly,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters when asked if India was in touch with the Bangladeshi side regarding Hasina’s safe return.
A special court in Dhaka last year sentenced Hasina to death for “crimes against humanity” in connection with her government’s crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The new BNP government in Dhaka has repeatedly called for Hasina’s extradition.
India confirmed that the extradition request will be studied in line with judicial and legal procedures.
Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after the Hasina government was replaced by an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. The two sides took some steps to normalize relations after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India at the inauguration of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman in February. However, Hasina’s continued presence in India remains a source of irritation for bilateral relations.
