India has officially confirmed that it has received a formal request from the interim government of Bangladesh seeking the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The request was delivered through diplomatic channels, and New Delhi has stated that it is currently under legal and administrative review.
At the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that India is “examining the request under the country’s internal legal procedures.” He refrained from providing a timeline for any decision, emphasizing that due process will guide the response.
Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since August 2024, after mass student-led protests in Bangladesh led to a change in government. The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal later found her guilty in connection with alleged excesses during the unrest, and sentenced her to death in absentia. Bangladesh has since made multiple diplomatic attempts to secure her return.
India and Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty in 2013, which includes a provision allowing refusal of extradition if the nature of the accusation is deemed political. Analysts believe this clause may play a critical role in India’s eventual decision.
India has meanwhile maintained a cautious diplomatic posture, stating that it will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Bangladesh with a view to ensuring peace, democratic stability, and the broader interests of the Bangladeshi people.