New Delhi: The interim government in Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of Bangladesh and leader of the Awami League. This diplomatic move comes just weeks after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s high-profile visit to Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina, 77, fled to India on August 5 following widespread protests that ended her 16-year tenure. Her departure came amid allegations of crimes against humanity and genocide leveled by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Arrest warrants have been issued against Hasina, her cabinet members, advisors, and several former military and civil officials.
“We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government requesting her return to face the judicial process,” said Touhid Hossain, foreign affairs advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government. Home Advisor Jahangir Alam echoed this, confirming that a formal letter had been sent to India’s External Affairs Ministry to expedite her extradition under an existing treaty between the two nations.
India’s Role in the Diplomatic Standoff
The diplomatic request adds a new layer of complexity to the India-Bangladesh relationship, already under scrutiny following recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. During his visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held discussions with Nobel laureate and interim Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, addressing various bilateral issues, including Sheikh Hasina’s continued presence in India.
Misri described the talks as “frank, candid, and constructive,” emphasizing India’s concern over escalating violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. A statement from Yunus’s office confirmed that Sheikh Hasina’s political activities while in India were a topic of concern. “Our people are worried because her statements from abroad are fueling tensions,” Yunus reportedly told Misri.
Hasina’s Accusations from Exile
From her undisclosed location in India, Sheikh Hasina has launched scathing criticisms of the interim government. In a virtual address to Awami League supporters in London, she accused Muhammad Yunus of orchestrating the political unrest that led to her ouster.
“Bangladesh is now under a fascist regime where democratic rights have been obliterated,” she said, alleging that the interim government had reversed her administration’s gains in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and democratic reforms. She also condemned the rise in attacks on religious minorities, blaming the interim government for empowering extremist elements.
What’s Next?
The extradition process, though grounded in an existing treaty, could test the resilience of India-Bangladesh relations. While India weighs its response to Dhaka’s diplomatic note, the political landscape in Bangladesh continues to evolve under the interim government.
Observers are closely watching how this high-stakes diplomatic standoff unfolds, as it could have profound implications for the region’s stability and the future of Bangladesh’s governance.
Edited By Qamrul Salehin
Source: Media
