Bangladesh asks India to extradite ousted PM

Dhaka has sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi to initiate former PM Sheikh Hasina’s return to the country to face trial

Bangladesh’s interim government has formally requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled  to India on August 5 after being ousted from power during mass protests.

The request follows recent comments by Nobel laureate and interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who called Hasina’s presence in India “a problem” for Dhaka and pledged to address the issue with New Delhi.

The foreign-affairs adviser to the Bangladeshi interim government Touhid Hossain, told media on Monday that Dhaka has sent a ‘note verbale’ (diplomatic message) to the Indian government, requesting that it send Hasina back for “judicial process.” Earlier, Bangladeshi Home Advisor Jahangir Alam also indicated that a formal letter had been sent to India’s External Affairs Ministry seeking Hasina’s extradition, highlighting an existing treaty between the two countries that could facilitate her return.

According to reports in the Bangladeshi media, the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several of her former ministers and advisers, accusing them of “crimes against humanity and genocide.”

New Delhi confirmed receiving the request but as yet has not offered comment, according to Times of India.

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This diplomatic communication comes shortly after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Bangladesh, where he held discussions with Yunus and other officials. Following their meeting, Misri characterized the talks as frank and constructive, addressing various issues within the crucial bilateral relationship, including the situation facing minorities in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina has made several statements from India, accusing the interim government in Dhaka of orchestrating genocide against minorities in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. New Delhi, too, has been raising concern over the treatment of Hindus in the country after the regime change. 

Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained following Hasina’s departure. Meanwhile, Yunus, whose transitional government has been tasked with restoring law and order as well as leading the country to new elections, has recently suggested that elections may not take place until late 2025 or the first half of 2026. This has raised concern within Bangladeshi political circles that have been pressing for elections and the restoration of democracy as soon as possible.

READ MORE: ‘India out’: Why Bangladesh may regret trying to get rid of New Delhi