[🇧🇩] Extradition of Hasina, Awami Leaders/Beneficiaries and Related News.

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Dhaka sends letter to Delhi seeking return of Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal

Bangladesh recently sent a letter to India requesting the return of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam disclosed this information in response...

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Dhaka sends letter to Delhi seeking return of Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal

Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 20 Jul 2026, 19: 30

After a seminar at the BICC auditorium in the capital's Ramna, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed answers various questions from journalists. Photo: Taken from video

Bangladesh recently sent a letter to India requesting the return of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam disclosed this information in response to journalists' questions at the end of a seminar at the BICC auditorium in Ramna, the capital today, Monday afternoon.

Shama Obaed said, a letter has been sent to India requesting the return of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Different letters have been issued to bring back those who have fled to India.

Journalists mentioned that on 26 November 2025, a letter was issued on behalf of the Bangladesh government to include Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan under extradition.

Today, the tribunal revealed that another letter has been sent to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the return of Asaduzzaman Khan.

When questioned if this is a second round of letters, the State Minister replied, "Trials against Asaduzzaman Khan are ongoing under Bangladesh law. Since he is a fugitive, the necessary letter for his return has been issued by us. We have repeatedly stated that Asaduzzaman Khan will be brought back and tried according to diplomatic policies and protocols, and the extradition treaty, just as trials will be held for Sheikh Hasina and other accused persons. ’

When asked when the letter requesting Asaduzzaman Khan's return was sent, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs said, ‘It was sent recently and was specifically aimed at the former Home Minister. Whenever necessary, the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take that initiative. From the Foreign Ministry's side, we will undertake necessary actions as per diplomatic processes. It is an ongoing process. Those who are fugitive convicts whose trials have concluded and have been sentenced will be brought back to Bangladesh to implement the sentences here. The public also expects this. ’

When asked what reaction Bangladesh expects from India regarding the letter, Shama Obaed said, "A letter has been sent from our government. We will wait, and surely hope that India will give a positive reply and fulfill their responsibilities to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries."

The State Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that different letters are usually sent for those who have fled to India.

When asked how many letters have been sent so far, she mentioned that letters have been sent requesting the return of the accused who are fugitives in India.​

 

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https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/uae-wants-more-answers-before-extraditing-former-igp-benazir

UAE wants more answers before extraditing former IGP Benazir

Dubai police have sought clarification on several issues before extraditing former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says the request includes case documents following his arrest in the United Arab Emirates on charges of corruption.

The graftbuster said it was preparing a response and would send the required documents, including records from the illicit wealth case against Benazir, within the next couple of days.

ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam told reporters on Tuesday that, following Benazir's arrest, the Bangladesh government and the ACC contacted the UAE authorities.

"The investigating officer later sent the required extradition documents through the home ministry. Dubai police recently replied, seeking further clarification on several issues related to the case.

“The investigating officer is now preparing the response and supporting documents," he said.

The ACC did not disclose the specific issues raised by Dubai police.

However, an official familiar with the matter said Dubai police had, in principle, agreed to hand Benazir over but sought clarification on the legal framework under which the extradition would proceed, as Bangladesh and the UAE do not have a bilateral extradition treaty.

Interpol issued a Red Notice against Benazir on Apr 11, 2025 in connection with a corruption case. UAE authorities confirmed his arrest to Bangladesh by email on Jun 12.

The ACC sent its extradition request in English and Arabic to the home ministry on Jun 16, attaching the arrest warrant, case documents, complaint and other supporting papers.

Akhtarul said the extradition process was being pursued under the UAE's Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on international judicial cooperation in criminal matters, which permits extradition requests even without a bilateral treaty, subject to legal conditions.

The graft watchdog has filed six corruption cases against Benazir over allegations including passport forgery and amassing wealth beyond known income. One case is on trial, while the others remain under investigation.

On Dec 15, 2024, the ACC also filed four separate cases against Benazir, his wife Zeeshan Mirza and their two daughters, alleging they concealed information and amassed nearly Tk 740 million in unexplained assets.​

 

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Hasina to face legal action if she returns to Bangladesh: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said former prime minister and condemned convict Sheikh Hasina will face legal action in accordance with the law if she returns to Bangladesh. He made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters at a ceremony f

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Hasina to face legal action if she returns to Bangladesh: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said former prime minister and condemned convict Sheikh Hasina will face legal action in accordance with the law if she returns to Bangladesh.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters at a ceremony for signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Legal Aid Services Organization and non-governmental organisations BRAC and BLAST on legal aid at the Secretariat.

Asked about a recent interview in which Hasina said she plans to return to Bangladesh in December, the law minister said the Home Ministry is making efforts for her extradition.

"If she comes, the law will take its own course. We will not do anything in violation of the law. We will exercise the authority that the law gives us," Asaduzzaman said.

Asked how Hasina could return as she does not have a passport, the minister said, "How she will come is her problem. It is not our problem."

"When she enters our jurisdiction, I will exercise the authority given to me by law and enforce the law. That's as simple as it is," he said.​

 

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Indian authorities examining Bangladesh's request to extradite Sheikh Hasina

India's relevant authorities are reviewing Dhaka's request for the extradition of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power following the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh. According to a Times of India report, the Indian central government conveyed this...

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Indian authorities examining Bangladesh's request to extradite Sheikh Hasina

Prothom Alo English Desk

Indian parliament building File Photo

India's relevant authorities are reviewing Dhaka's request for the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power following the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh.

According to a Times of India report, the Indian central government conveyed this information to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.

The report stated that, on Thursday the committee presented its report to the Lok Sabha, outlining the steps taken by the government based on the recommendations and observations concerning the future of India–Bangladesh relations, contained in the committee's ninth report on external affairs. The committee is chaired by Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee had asked the government for an update on the progress of its review after learning of Bangladesh's request for Sheikh Hasina's extradition following her sentencing to death in absentia.

After being ousted from power during the student-led mass uprising in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina fled to India, where she has remained ever since.

Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus assumed office following Sheikh Hasina's removal from power. The interim government formally requested New Delhi to extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh.

After BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, formed the government following the parliamentary elections held in February this year, the new government also renewed the same request to New Delhi.

Sheikh Hasina File Photo

Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India, has been holding virtual discussions with leaders of her party, and statements have also been issued in her name. She has also given interviews to various media outlets. However, the Indian government maintains that she has not been permitted to engage in any political activities while in India.

The Lok Sabha's Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs stated that Sheikh Hasina has been allowed to remain in India as part of the country's humanitarian tradition and civilizational values of providing refuge to individuals facing extreme crises or threats to their lives, reports the Times of India.

The standing committee report further stated that the Indian government has made it clear that Sheikh Hasina has not been allowed to use any political platform or Indian territory to carry out political activities.

It highlighted India's long-standing policy of not allowing its territory to be used for political activities directed against another country. At the same time, the committee recommended that the Indian government continue to uphold this principled and humanitarian approach while handling such situations with appropriate sensitivity and in accordance with India's international obligations.​

 

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Hasina to make first public appearance on Aug 5 in India: Report

Sheikh Hasina is set to make her first major public appearance in India since her ouster in August 2024, according to reports. The former prime minister will address a virtual programme hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi on the second anniv

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina to make first public appearance on Aug 5 in India: Report

Sheikh Hasina is set to make her first major public appearance in India since her ouster in August 2024, according to reports.

The former prime minister will address a virtual programme hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi on the second anniversary of her exile, Aug 5, bdnews24.com reports citing India Today.

She is expected to discuss her political roadmap and proposed return to Bangladesh.

The event will run from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road, with the session also streamed live on the club’s social media platforms.

The programme falls on the second anniversary of the collapse of Hasina’s 15-year rule.

On Aug 5, 2024, student protests over Bangladesh’s quota system escalated into a nationwide movement that ultimately forced her from office.

Hasina fled to India after protesters stormed and vandalised government buildings in Dhaka, bringing her long tenure to an abrupt end.

She has largely remained out of the public eye since arriving in India, avoiding public events and formal media engagements.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced her to death in absentia in November 2025 for crimes against humanity over her government’s violent suppression of the 2024 protests.

Despite the verdict, Hasina has said she plans to return voluntarily to Bangladesh around December, surrender before the courts and seek to revive the Awami League, while dismissing the tribunal’s ruling as politically motivated.

Dhaka has warned that she would be arrested immediately upon entering Bangladesh and face execution under Bangladeshi law, while the government has continued to demand her extradition from India.

Several prominent Bangladeshi political figures, diplomats and public personalities are listed among the participants in the programme, including Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch General Secretary Mohammed Ali Siddiqui.

Former cricketer and MP Shakib Al Hasan, ex-diplomat Aminul Hoque, analyst Abu Obaidha Arin and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch USA director Shah Md Bakhtiar are also expected to join.

The event will be chaired by FCC South Asia President Dr Waiel Awwad.​

 

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What are the legal aspects Sheikh Hasina's extradition process ?

In a Reuters interview on 10 July, Sheikh Hasina, convicted of crimes against humanity and in hiding, expressed her interest in ‘returning’ to Bangladesh in December. Although Sheikh Hasina described this as 'returning home' and said she would 'return to surrender,' neither the legal nor the...

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What are the legal aspects Sheikh Hasina's extradition process ?
Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ousted in the mass uprising of 2024, recently announced her intention to return to the country from India. This announcement has two aspects: legal and political. Ali Riaz writes about this in two parts. The first part was published on Saturday.

Ali Riaz

July uprising graffiti, Mirpur, Dhaka. File photo

In a Reuters interview on 10 July, Sheikh Hasina, convicted of crimes against humanity and in hiding, expressed her interest in ‘returning’ to Bangladesh in December. Although Sheikh Hasina described this as 'returning home' and said she would 'return to surrender,' neither the legal nor the real situation applies in this case.

Since she has been sheltered in India since her flight from Bangladesh on on 5 August 2024, and due to the prisoner exchange and extradition agreement between Bangladesh and India regarding convicted criminals, Hasina’s 'arrival' in Bangladesh is supposed to be determined by that law.

Secondly, since she has already been convicted by the court, she did not appeal, and she has not been granted any kind of bail, the law enforcement agencies are obligated to arrest her if found within the country.

What the legal system says
There are two aspects to discussing Sheikh Hasina's announcement—legal and political. The legal aspect involves the extradition agreement signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013 and amended in 2016. Referring to this agreement, the interim government of Bangladesh has repeatedly requested Hasina’s extradition since 2024, and in December 2024, the government sent a note verbale to this effect. While India acknowledged receipt of that note verbale, it did not make any comment on the matter.

After the International Crimes Tribunal awarded the death penalty to Hasina on 17 November 2025, Bangladesh officially requested India for extradition. It is worth recalling that after the tribunal’s verdict, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated in a notice that they were aware of the verdict. However, it was notable that the statement contained quotation marks around the International Crimes Tribunal, indicating India's stance.

In April of this year, after forming a new government, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman raised the matter during his visit to New Delhi. Subsequently, on 17 April, during the weekly briefing of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The request is being reviewed as part of the ongoing judicial and domestic legal process" (Bdnews24, 17 April 2026).

Although Jaiswal did not give a direct answer regarding Hasina's recent statement, he said that India’s attitude towards Sheikh Hasina has not changed. He stated, "Any extradition is a legal matter. It will be resolved through the legal process" (Prothom Alo, 14 July 2026). This indicates that what will happen with Sheikh Hasina, who is sheltered in India, is not dependent on her personal will. India has repeatedly stated it has provided 'temporary' asylum to the former prime minister of Bangladesh considering her protection and security in a specific situation.

Therefore, there is no rationale to think that Hasina will be able to decide on this matter alone. Notably, both Bangladesh and India agree that the law will take precedence in this matter. The relevant legal provisions are the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India and India’s 1962 Extradition Act. For extradition under this treaty, there is a need to advance step by step, and broadly, there are six key steps:

1. Establishing the legal basis for extradition

The extradition process begins with the requesting state proving that the committed crime is an 'extraditable offence' under the treaty. According to Article 2(1) of the treaty, the offence must fulfill the 'dual criminality' principle, meaning the criminal conduct for which extradition is requested must be considered a crime under the laws of both Bangladesh and India, and each must prescribe at least a one-year jail term. Any linguistic or statutory classification differences will not bar extradition [Article 2(3)].

In cases where the individual is already convicted, Bangladesh must have a valid sentence and evidence of conviction by a competent court. In Hasina’s case, the International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant and subsequently conducted a trial in absentia, sentencing her to death.

2. Preparation of the extradition request

Once the legal basis is established, Bangladesh must prepare a formal extradition request in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the treaty. This request will be sent by the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs via diplomatic channels. According to Article 4 and Article 10(1) of the treaty, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is the ''central authority'' responsible for processing this extradition request.

The request must include the following documents as stipulated by Article 10(2) of the treaty:

*An accurate description and identification-related information of Sheikh Hasina;

*Description of the material facts of the alleged offences;

*Statutory legal provisions that constituted the said offences; and prescriptions of applicable penalties.

Since the purpose of extradition here is not for trial but rather to execute an existing judgment, Bangladesh is also required to provide the following documents under Article 10(4):

*A certified copy or certificate of conviction and imposed punishment;

*A clear declaration that the judgment and punishment remain legally enforceable under Bangladesh law, specifying how much of the sentence remains to be served.

Protesters shouting slogans against then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina on 3 August 2024, Dhaka.Reuters

3. Verification of documents

Before advancing to the next step, the attached judicial documents must be properly authenticated according to Article 13 of the treaty. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs will review whether the judgment, punishment, arrest warrant, and accompanying certificates have been properly authenticated and whether all procedural requirements under the treaty have been fulfilled.

Although the 2016 amendment abolished the requirement to establish a ''prima facie case'' through evidence submission under Article 10(3), this amendment principally applies to requests brought for trial. When extradition is requested to enforce a sentence, the obligation for additional supporting documents imposed by Article 10(4) does not fall away due to the amendment.

If the documents are incomplete or insufficient, India may seek supplementary information from Bangladesh under Article 10(5) before taking further action.

4. Potential grounds for rejection
India must then determine whether there is any legal impediment to extradition:

*Political Offence: According to Article 6(1), if the offence is considered of a 'political nature,' extradition may be denied. However, Article 6(2) explicitly mentions that murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, explosive offences, and serious terrorism-related offences cannot be classified as political offences.

*Good Faith: Pursuant to Article 8(1) of the treaty, if it appears that the prosecution was not initiated in good faith and in the interest of justice, India may refuse extradition.

*Constitutional and human rights obligations: Beyond the treaty, India has constitutional obligations under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It has to consider whether extradition would result in torture, arbitrary deprivation of life, execution of the death sentence, or fundamentally unfair trials for the requested person.


Thus, before making any final decision, factors such as the imposition of the death penalty, conducting trials in absentia, and adherence to internationally accepted due process standards may be closely scrutinised.

Scene of Sheikh Hasina’s escape via helicopter. 5 August 2024.

5. Review under the Extradition Act, 1962

Once the procedural requirements have been satisfied, the Indian government conducts a ‘substantive review’ in light of its internal Extradition Act, 1962, and the relevant treaty. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs considers whether the request fulfills India's internal legal criteria and whether there are any statutory or treaty-based grounds for denying extradition.

This step does not determine the guilt or innocence of the requested individual. Instead, the focus of the review remains on whether the treaty's procedural requirements have been met and whether extradition is legally permissible under Indian law.

6. Decision and transfer

Upon concluding the legal review, the Indian government will decide on whether to approve the extradition request.

If extradition is approved, under Article 16(1) of the treaty, Sheikh Hasina will be handed over to the Bangladeshi authorities at a mutually agreed-upon location within one month of receiving formal notification of the extradition being granted. If Bangladesh fails to remove her from India within this period without sufficient cause, India reserves the right to deny future extradition requests for the same offence (Article 16(2)).

After the transfer, Bangladesh is bound to adhere to the ‘principle of specialty’ under Article 12 of the treaty. This means Hasina can only be tried or punished for the offences for which extradition was granted, unless India later consents to additional offences. Additionally, except under circumstances expressly allowed by the treaty, Bangladesh cannot re-extradite her to a third country without India’s consent.

India shall follow the Extradition Act, 1962, when considering extradition. According to it, if India receives an extradition request for any person, the government shall appoint a magistrate who will examine the allegations, evidence, and related matters. In that case, Hasina will have to appear before the magistrate.

Since it is not mandatory for this to take place in an open court, how the magistrate will obtain her statement is not predetermined. If, upon considering the documents, the magistrate decides that the allegations would have been acceptable to an Indian court, he will issue a report to the central government. If the accused has any written statement, he may also attach it. Based on this, the Indian government will decide on extradition.

Bangladesh has followed the first two steps. How the other steps of the treaty will be followed is practically dependent on the will of the Indian government. Consequently, the timing and manner of implementing these specific procedural steps remain uncertain. These steps, under the Indian government’s discretion, also depend on politics and India-Bangladesh relations. India may refuse the request if it feels it was not initiated in the spirit of good faith or in the interest of justice, as described in Article 8(1) of the extradition treaty.

India is unlikely to make any decision in the near future. Doing so would not be politically favourable for India and would pose a direct and severe threat to the relationship between the two countries. It is also observed in cases involving other countries that the entire process often takes several years to complete. Therefore, India’s argument would be that it is doing nothing exceptional by taking its time on Hasina’s extradition.

#Ali Riaz is a former vice-chairman of the Interim Government’s National Consensus Commission and a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University, USA.​

 

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Hasina will be taken straight from airport to gallows upon return: Nahid

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Monday said whenever ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returns to Bangladesh from India, students and the public will take her directly from the airport to the gallows. “Sheikh Hasina will be taken straight from

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Hasina will be taken straight from airport to gallows upon return: Nahid

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Monday said whenever ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returns to Bangladesh from India, students and the public will take her directly from the airport to the gallows.

“Sheikh Hasina will be taken straight from the airport to the gallows. If Tarique Rahman [Prime Minister] strikes a deal with Delhi to arrange her return, we are ready to carry out Hasina's execution,” he said while addressing a discussion titled “One-Point Demand in the Voice of Martyrs’ Families and the Injured”, organised by the NCP at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Kakrail.

Nahid said families of 1,400 martyrs and 30,000 injured fighters of the July uprising will take to the streets and remain there until Hasina's execution is carried out, if she returns to Bangladesh.

Accusing the BNP government of shielding its own wrongdoing in the same manner as the Awami League once did, he said BNP leaders themselves have admitted that nothing has changed in the past five months, with bribery and corruption continuing as before.

The NCP leader alleged that a narrative is being pushed portraying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as good while blaming others, similar to the propaganda once used to defend Hasina.

He alleged that the public continues to suffer due to gas shortages in households and lack of electricity, while politicisation persists across institutions, including the police.

Nahid alleged widespread extortion and corruption, claiming the only change over the past two years is that Tarique Rahman returned from London to become prime minister.

Expressing disappointment over the lack of government initiatives for the families of martyrs, he said BNP has yet to take any steps for the martyrs and the injured, stressing that martyrs’ families are a national asset who gave their lives for the liberation of the people, not to install anyone in power.

“We did not launch this movement to attain power. We declared the abolition of the fascist system. We will not allow this country to become a haven for autocracy, corruption and extortion again,” the opposition chief whip said.

Among others, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, Chief Organiser for Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Northern Region Sarjis Alam, Jatiya Nari Shakti Member Secretary Mahmuda Mitu, its Chief Organiser Nusrat Tabassum, and members of martyrs’ families were present at the discussion.​

 

[Saif]

Politics of Hasina’s extradition and Bangladesh–India relations

Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in the July 2024 mass uprising, recently declared that she intends to return to Bangladesh from India. This article, published in two parts, examines the legal and political dimensions of that announcement. This is the concluding...

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Politics of Hasina’s extradition and Bangladesh–India relations

Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in the July 2024 mass uprising, recently declared that she intends to return to Bangladesh from India. This article, published in two parts, examines the legal and political dimensions of that announcement. This is the concluding installment.

Ali Riaz

Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is living in India as a fugitive after being convicted in Bangladesh, has repeatedly stated in recent weeks that she wants to "return" to Bangladesh. She made the remarks in interviews with Reuters on 10 July and AFP on 29 July. However, she is undoubtedly aware that any return would have to proceed under the Bangladesh-India Extradition Treaty and India's Extradition Act of 1962, mechanisms that Bangladesh has repeatedly invoked in seeking her extradition.

There is little reason to believe that Hasina or her advisers are unaware of the legal framework. Consequently, politics—not law—appears to be the principal motivation behind her statements.

Nor is it likely that Hasina would make such declarations without at least the knowledge of, and perhaps some indication from, sections of the Indian authorities. The politics behind her remarks has two dimensions: one related to Hasina and the now-banned Awami League, and another concerning Bangladesh-India relations.

Hasina's immediate objective appears to be energising the Awami League activists inside Bangladesh. Her supporters have already been carrying out limited political activities, and she seems eager to encourage them to become more active. The apparent calculation is that sustained activism could increase pressure on the Bangladeshi government.

For nearly two years, Hasina has used social media to provoke tensions and encourage violence. These efforts have failed to restore her political legitimacy, and her latest declaration is, in effect, an acknowledgment of that failure. By presenting supporters with a clear objective—her return—she also seeks to give them a rallying point.

Another purpose of her announcement is to discourage any attempt to reorganise the Awami League without her leadership, particularly from within Bangladesh. As long as legal proceedings continue, she can claim that she wishes to return but is prevented from doing so because of legal complications, placing the blame on the Bangladesh government.

Observers of Indian foreign and regional policy have warned that such an approach would be counterproductive. It is understandable that India wants to keep Hasina politically relevant in Bangladesh. From India, she has continued political activities and allegedly encouraged violence inside Bangladesh.

The timing of her announcement is also significant. She chose July so that she could remain a central topic of discussion during the second anniversary of the mass uprising that ousted her from power. It is reasonable to assume that she hoped political parties in Bangladesh would disagree over how to respond.

Despite differences among political parties over elections and post-election issues, they remain united on the questions of Hasina's trial and extradition. Only those who helped legitimise her authoritarian rule have voiced dissent. It is also plausible that she chose this timing to create uncertainty around Victory Day celebrations in December and reinforce the Awami League's long-standing claim to exclusive ownership of the legacy of the Liberation War.

These considerations are not necessarily decisive for India, but they are useful to Indian policymakers. There has been no visible shift in India's broader approach toward Bangladesh or in its longstanding policy of keeping Bangladesh within India's sphere of influence. Following Bangladesh's February 2026 election, the BNP-led government has taken concrete steps to improve relations with India, and India has signaled a positive response.

However, the substance of India's actions remains open to question. Continued allegations of "push-ins" across the border, ongoing border killings, land allocation in West Bengal for new border fencing, statements by BJP leaders and their allies in neighbouring Indian states, the announcement of plans to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal, and slow progress in addressing Bangladesh's trade deficit all send less encouraging signals.

Another important issue is the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which expires in December this year. For years, the Teesta water-sharing agreement has been the principal unresolved issue in water relations between the two countries. But unless a new Ganges agreement acceptable to Bangladesh is reached before the current treaty expires, it could become a new source of difficult negotiations.

There has been little sign of any change in this thinking. Regardless of what the law may require, political considerations make India unlikely to support Hasina's extradition. The question is whether its role will remain limited to offering her refuge.

Meanwhile, discussions are underway on implementing the Teesta project with Chinese assistance. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China has also raised the prospect of closer Bangladesh-China ties, including a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and consideration of a China-Bangladesh economic corridor through Myanmar. At the same time, India's concerns over Bangladesh's improving relations with Pakistan are understandable. Bangladesh also has new opportunities to expand its trade relationship with the United States. Together, these developments provide the BNP government with greater room to pursue a foreign policy that is less dependent on India.

After India's unwavering support for Hasina's government during its 14 years in power, and its decision to shelter her after the 2024 uprising while allowing anti-Bangladesh propaganda to operate from Indian territory, considerable public resentment toward India has emerged in Bangladesh. The BNP government cannot easily ignore this sentiment.

In an interview with BBC Bangla in October 2025, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remarked, "If India gives shelter to an autocrat and becomes unpopular among the people of Bangladesh, there is nothing we can do. The people have decided to keep their distance from them. So, I must stay with my people."

India's continued sheltering of Hasina, its protection of fugitive Awami League leaders, and its failure to take meaningful action after reports emerged in August 2025 that the Awami League had opened an office in Kolkata all suggest that New Delhi's Awami League-centered policy remains unchanged. Some in India appear to hope for the Awami League's return to Bangladeshi politics. Whether India will actively facilitate such a return remains an open question.

Observers of Indian foreign and regional policy have warned that such an approach would be counterproductive. It is understandable that India wants to keep Hasina politically relevant in Bangladesh. From India, she has continued political activities and allegedly encouraged violence inside Bangladesh.

However, a report presented by the Indian government in the Lok Sabha on 30 July stated that India's policy of not allowing its territory to be used for political activities directed against another country also applies to Hasina. This should be regarded as a positive step. India should make it clear that this policy will be consistently enforced. Whether that happens should become evident in the near future.

Recent discussions in Dhaka between India's ambassador, Dinesh Trivedi, and Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman also produced agreement that bilateral relations need a "reset." (Prothom Alo, 29 July, 2026)

It is also worth recalling how Indian policymakers viewed the situation after Hasina took refuge in India in August 2024. Former senior Indian diplomat TCA Raghavan told the BBC that providing Hasina refuge during a moment of danger was consistent with India's principles, and that exposing her to greater danger was "not an option." He also argued, "If we do not stand by Sheikh Hasina now, no friendly leader anywhere in the world will be able to trust India." (BBC Bangla, 24 August, 2024)

There has been little sign of any change in this thinking. Regardless of what the law may require, political considerations make India unlikely to support Hasina's extradition. The question is whether its role will remain limited to offering her refuge.

India may also use Hasina as a source of diplomatic leverage in its dealings with Bangladesh. One method has been allowing her to make statements capable of creating instability inside Bangladesh, thereby placing pressure on the government. Her recent remarks suggest such a strategy may continue. There is little reason to think Hasina would object, since her main goal is to remain politically relevant.

During her years in India between 1975 and 1980, Hasina also prioritised her own political future. But Bangladesh-India relations were very different then. India had not yet developed today's regional ambitions, and its leaders were more preoccupied with domestic political challenges. Hasina was therefore not viewed as a strategic asset in Indian policymaking.

India's political and economic interests in Bangladesh were also much more limited. It is natural that India would seek to preserve the asymmetrical relationship it established between 2009 and 2024. Given India's role in sustaining Hasina's government during that period, it would not be surprising if it now expected her to continue serving its interests. As long as she remains abroad, Hasina is likely to reappear periodically as a source of tension, irritation, and political division in Bangladesh. Indian policymakers, however, should recognise that such a role ultimately harms diplomatic relations between the two countries.

One hopes that Bangladesh's government, policymakers, and political parties will carefully consider these realities when formulating their positions, public statements, and strategies. At the same time, they should continue to apply united pressure on India for Hasina's extradition to ensure justice and fulfill the commitments made to those killed and injured during the July 2024 movement.

* Ali Riaz is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University and former vice-chair of Bangladesh's National Consensus Commission under the interim government.​

 

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What analysts say on Hasina’s Delhi press conference and declaration to return home

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led mass uprising, addressed a virtual press conference from New Delhi, India, on Wednesday. The Bangladesh government has expressed a strong reaction to the Indian government for permitting her to hold the media conference...

en.prothomalo.com

What analysts say on Hasina’s Delhi press conference and declaration to return home

Sheikh Hasina’s declaration comes at a time when Bangladesh and India are striving to normalise strained bilateral ties. However, her presence remains a major point of contention in bilateral relations.

Prothom Alo Desk
Published: 07 Aug 2026, 19: 25

Screengrab of The Diplomat report

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led mass uprising, addressed a virtual press conference from New Delhi, India, on Wednesday. The Bangladesh government has expressed a strong reaction to the Indian government for permitting her to hold the media conference from New Delhi.

The 78-year-old Sheikh Hasina has been convicted of crimes against humanity in attempts to suppress the student-led uprising in 2024. She is an absconding convict sentenced to death, and her party, the Awami League, has been banned from political activities in the country.

On Wednesday, on the second anniversary of the fall of the Awami League government in the July Uprising, Sheikh Hasina joined online to deliver a speech at a press conference organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi. She subsequently fielded several questions.

Residing in Delhi for two years, Sheikh Hasina has periodically released audio messages via social media and granted interviews through email to various media outlets. However, this marks the first instance of her joining an event in Delhi online to deliver a direct address.

Analysts’ views on Sheikh Hasina’s announcement

During the press conference, Sheikh Hasina announced her intention to return home in December this year, a declaration made two years after fleeing to India.

According to analysts, her statement reflects a desperate bid to maintain her political relevance, retain her supporters, and reactivate Awami League, whose activities remain banned in the country.

A report published on Thursday by the influential Japanese news outlet, Nikkei Asia, cited Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst at the US-based think tank Atlantic Council, who outlined three possible motivations behind Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to return:

Kugelman told Nikkei Asia that should Sheikh Hasina return, she would almost certainly be arrested at the airport. Furthermore, her return could mobilise both her supporters and detractors, raising the risk of violent clashes and placing pressure on the government regarding the conduct of her judicial process.

First, she may perceive the current political environment under the government led by the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) to be more favourable to her than during the interim administration’s tenure. This is because the interim government had banned the political activities of the Awami League, and the judicial proceedings resulting in her death sentence were conducted during its rule.

Second, Sheikh Hasina has claimed that the charges brought against her in court were politically motivated. Consequently, she may wish to present her stance before the court to clear her name.

Third, according to Kugelman, the simplest explanation is that she wishes to retire from politics, return to Bangladesh to spend her remaining days, and ultimately pass away there.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior Awami League leader expressed belief that Sheikh Hasina genuinely intends to return to the country.

The leader noted that returning home serves as a way to reward the loyalty of party leaders and activists.

Meanwhile, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, a former senior Awami League leader and now a staunch critic of Sheikh Hasina, characterised her announcement as self-serving.

“There are certain leaders within Awami League who possess public support and acceptability. Sheikh Hasina could have provided them with space to help the party regain its footing after the ban, but she did not do so,” Manna stated.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna added that the idea of her returning home for the greater interest of the party is unfounded.

The Diplomat report highlighted that the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty could play a pivotal role in determining the future trajectory of Bangladesh-India relations. The 30-year treaty is set to expire in December this year.
According to Professor Mohammad Jalal Uddin Sikder of the Department of Political Science at North South University in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina also aims to exert political pressure on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman by threatening to return.

What could happen if Hasina returns?

Analysts contend that even if Sheikh Hasina returns, her immediate scope for political activity will remain severely constrained. Nevertheless, her presence could significantly impact the current political landscape in Bangladesh.

Kugelman told Nikkei Asia that should Sheikh Hasina return, she would almost certainly be arrested at the airport. Furthermore, her return could mobilise both her supporters and detractors, raising the risk of violent clashes and placing pressure on the government regarding the conduct of her judicial process.

In Kugelman’s assessment, “Her mere return would be destabilising.”

Professor Mohammad Jalal Uddin Sikder told AFP, “Even if she were taken directly to prison upon her return from India, the Bangladesh government is not prepared to receive Sheikh Hasina. Her return would generate political turmoil.”

Zahed Ur Rahman, an adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stated that the Bangladesh government has sent a letter to the Indian government requesting her extradition, emphasising that the government is fully prepared to ensure justice.

“The individual whom we seek to extradite is herself speaking of returning home. We are prepared. Let her come, and we will ensure justice,” Zahed Ur Rahman added.

Sheikh Hasina’s declaration comes at a time when Bangladesh and India are striving to normalise strained bilateral ties. However, her presence remains a major point of contention in bilateral relations.

On 3 August, prime minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir sought the cooperation of the Indian government to ensure that no individuals from the banned Awami League, including Sheikh Hasina, use Indian territory to deliver political statements.

The Bangladesh government has repeatedly requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, while India has stated that the request is being evaluated through legal channels. Nevertheless, relations between the two nations have improved following the election of BNP leader Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. India has extended an invitation to him to attend the BRICS summit scheduled for September.

Prior to Sheikh Hasina’s press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, clarified during a press briefing that New Delhi had no involvement in the event.

The government has no involvement in this matter, nor does it endorse any views expressed at the event, Jaiswal stated.

Bangladesh’s strong reaction

On 3 August, prime minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir sought the cooperation of the Indian government to ensure that no individuals from the banned Awami League, including Sheikh Hasina, use Indian territory to deliver political statements.

He warned that such activities could undermine positive momentum in Bangladesh-India bilateral relations. Adviser Humayun Kabir conveyed this message to the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, during a courtesy call in Dhaka.

Following Sheikh Hasina’s address, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Wednesday night conveying a sharp reaction to the Indian government.

The statement read, “Bangladesh is outraged that the absconding convicted genocider Sheikh Hasina was allowed this evening to engage in live interaction with the media in New Delhi where she and her henchmen launched venomous vitriol against the State of Bangladesh and her people.”

The government noted that concerns regarding the potential negative impact of such an event on renewed bilateral efforts had been communicated to the Indian government in advance. Dhaka expressed deep disappointment that the event was nevertheless allowed on Indian soil.

The foreign ministry’s statement further asserted that holding such an interaction on the second anniversary of the July Revolution—a day observed by the people of Bangladesh—constitutes an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and a grave insult to the martyrs of the uprising.

‘India could have prevented the press conference’

Michael Kugelman remarked to Nikkei Asia, “India has taken a middle-ground approach with this press conference. I don’t think that explanation will play well in Dhaka.”

According to Kugelman, India could have prevented the press conference had it chosen to do so. Consequently, Bangladesh is likely to view the incident as another instance of New Delhi indulging its long-standing political ally, Sheikh Hasina.

Sreeradha Datta, Professor of International Relations at OP Jindal Global University, told Nikkei Asia that the incident occurred just as Bangladesh and India were gradually attempting to normalise ties after nearly two years of strain.

“While there has been a resumption of tourist visas, the bilateral relationship hasn’t yet normalised,” she said. “It is still moving at a very slow pace,” Professor Datta added.

However, she advised against viewing this as a long-term setback, noting: “Both India and Bangladesh stand to gain by working with each other.”

Trajectory of Bangladesh–India relations

According to a report by The Diplomat, forcibly deporting Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh is not a realistic option for India. However, if she returns voluntarily, current bilateral tensions may ease to some extent.

Speculation suggests that India is liaising covertly with several European nations to guarantee her safety upon return, though the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from commenting on the matter.

The Diplomat noted that bilateral relations were warm during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, but the dynamic shifted after her removal. New Delhi maintained that the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, tilted towards China while failing to adequately address India’s core concerns.

The election of the BNP-led government in February raised hopes for rebuilding ties. In this context, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit to New Delhi in April was regarded as an initiative to restore mutual trust.

Maintaining a stable relationship with Bangladesh is crucial for India due to their shared border spanning nearly 4,100 kilometres. Additionally, India seeks Dhaka’s cooperation to bolster connectivity with its landlocked northeastern region and to suppress insurgencies in that territory.

In light of these strategic imperatives, India has taken several positive steps towards Bangladesh in recent months. In February, India dispatched Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to attend Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony.

In April this year, during an energy crisis, India supplied over 45,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh. Furthermore, Dinesh Trivedi was appointed as the new High Commissioner to Dhaka to rebuild bilateral relations, receiving the status of a minister to facilitate direct communication with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

India has also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS summit in Delhi in September (in his capacity as BIMSTEC Chair), although the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is yet to accept the invitation.

The Diplomat report highlighted that the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty could play a pivotal role in determining the future trajectory of Bangladesh-India relations. The 30-year treaty is set to expire in December this year.

The renewal process must account for current Ganges water flow levels and the impact of climate change on both nations. Analysts suggest that a timely renewal would place Dhaka-New Delhi ties on a far firmer footing.

The report further noted that with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) currently in power in both India’s central government and West Bengal, favourable conditions exist for concluding the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty, an agreement previously opposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The Diplomat concluded that normalising Bangladesh-India relations is now an urgent priority. However, New Delhi must first take measures to mitigate the diplomatic fallout surrounding Sheikh Hasina’s online press conference.​

 

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https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/308951/hasina-becoming-a-liability-for-delhi-bbc-commentary

Hasina becoming a liability for Delhi: BBC commentary
Staff Correspondent 07 August, 2026, 14:18

Sheikh Hasina | File photo

Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina may be increasingly becoming a liability for India as New Delhi’s discomfort over her continued presence in the country grows, according to a BBC Bangla commentary.

Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, amid student-mass uprising that brought an end to her 15-year rule. She has since remained in India, while Dhaka has repeatedly sought her return.

The BBC commentary, published on its Bengali YouTube channel on Thursday, revisited Hasina’s arrival in India and examined whether New Delhi’s approach towards her has changed over the past two years.

‘This Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of Delhi, rarely sees commercial flights, but mostly military aircraft. Exactly two years ago, on an August afternoon, Sheikh Hasina landed here on a Bangladeshi military aircraft. She was welcomed on the tarmac by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. India had given a warm welcome to a foreign friend in danger that day. But is Delhi’s view of her slowly changing today?’ the report said.

The commentary said Bangladesh was angered by Hasina’s participation in a live online press conference from Delhi on the second anniversary of August 5.

‘Yes, it is true, Bangladesh is very angry with the way Sheikh Hasina joined the live online press conference at Delhi’s Apex on the second anniversary of August 5,’ it said.

While India has officially denied having any involvement in the episode, the BBC commentary said Bangladesh believes New Delhi permitted Hasina to interact in that manner and that her remarks, particularly those directed at Indian media, could not have been made without tacit Indian support.

‘Although Delhi has officially claimed that they have nothing to do with this incident, Bangladesh assumes from the course of events that the Indian government has allowed her to interact in this way and that what she said, mainly aimed at the Indian media, she did not say without India’s tacit support,’ the report said.

According to the commentary, the central source of India’s growing discomfort is Hasina’s legal status in Bangladesh.

‘The main reason is that Sheikh Hasina is currently a death row convict in a Bangladeshi court, whom the government of that country wants back. India is sitting quietly without responding to that request. And it is casting a shadow on every aspect of bilateral relations—be it the Ganges Treaty or trade restrictions. India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations are not able to return to normal. A big reason for that is Sheikh Hasina herself,’ it said.

The report also pointed to what it described as a change in the way Indian authorities have handled Hasina since her arrival.

It said foreign guests who take shelter in India are customarily debriefed by Indian authorities, noting that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama had also been subject to such a process.

‘In the case of Sheikh Hasina, Ajit Doval himself played this role for several months at first,’ the commentary said.

But, citing information obtained by the BBC, it said the responsibility later shifted from Doval to senior intelligence officials.

‘But the BBC has learned that he later stepped down and the responsibility fell on the shoulders of Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Deka or, after his retirement, current chief Mahesh Dixit. Many say that this is proof that Sheikh Hasina’s importance in Delhi is no longer what it used to be,’ it said.

The BBC commentary also claimed that Hasina had expected India to help restore the Awami League to Bangladeshi politics following her arrival in Delhi.

‘Informed sources also say that from the first day after landing in Delhi, Sheikh Hasina expected that India would help her rehabilitate the Awami League in Bangladeshi politics,’ it said.

However, citing sources in India’s home and foreign ministries, the report said Hasina had rejected proposals made by New Delhi over the past two years aimed at achieving that objective.

‘But sources in the Indian Home or Foreign Ministry indicate that she did not want to accept any proposal made by Delhi in the last two years to that end. She has even firmly rejected the proposal for a minor or temporary change in the party leadership,’ the commentary said.

It further suggested that Hasina’s refusal to compromise had caused irritation among Indian officials.

‘This stubbornness and stubborn attitude, denial of reality - these have also irritated Indian officials as usual,’ it said.

‘Liability factor’ growing

The report acknowledged India’s long-standing practice of providing shelter to foreign allies and political figures facing danger.

‘It is a long-standing Indian tradition to provide shelter to trusted foreign friends when they are in danger or their lives are in crisis. The same was followed in the case of Sheikh Hasina,’ it said.

However, according to observers cited by the BBC, Hasina’s continued stay in India may now be creating a growing political burden for New Delhi.

‘But observers in Delhi believe that the ‘liability factor’ has become even greater in the case of Sheikh Hasina, as she has been given the status of hospitality by accommodating all the demands of India, such as the Dalai Lama or the family of former Afghan President Najibullah. There are real obstacles in regional geo-politics and Delhi’s discomfort with Sheikh Hasina is growing,’ the commentary said.

The report also noted that Hasina’s exact location in India has not been publicly confirmed.

‘It is not possible to say for sure where exactly Sheikh Hasina has been kept in India. Maybe in the heart of Delhi, in this Lutyens’ Zone, or some other place in the city,’ it said.

The BBC commentary concluded that while Hasina continues to be treated with respect in India, the prospects for her continued stay may be diminishing.

‘Wherever she is, she is in honor. But one thing can be said for sure. The chances have become slim for now.’

It added: ‘If she can really return to Bangladesh in December, or go to a third country like Europe and America, then the Indian government will be holding its breath.’​

 

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India reviews Hasina extradition request as Bangladesh seeks ‘conducive environment’

India is examining Bangladesh’s formal request for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina under established bilateral legal procedures, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. “Regarding the extradition issue, the position is clear that Ind

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India reviews Hasina extradition request as Bangladesh seeks ‘conducive environment’

India is examining Bangladesh’s formal request for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina under established bilateral legal procedures, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“Regarding the extradition issue, the position is clear that India is examining the matter under its established procedures, and updates will be shared when available,” Jaiswal said at the MEA’s weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday.

His remarks came after a high-level meeting in Dhaka between Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat—their first formal talks since Trivedi took office.

Bangladesh pressed key legal demands at the meeting, including Hasina’s extradition and the return of suspects wanted in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

Bangladeshi officials have stressed that deeper bilateral cooperation depends on creating a “conducive environment”, with unresolved judicial issues remaining a key sticking point.

Asked about the Hadi murder case, Jaiswal said: “It is a legal and judicial matter, and investigations are currently ongoing.”

He also confirmed that India has renewed its standing invitations to Tarique to make an official bilateral visit and attend the BRICS outreach summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13 as BIMSTEC chairman.

Dhaka has yet to formally accept either invitation, maintaining a measured diplomatic posture following Tarique’s recent visits to Malaysia and China.

Meanwhile, security engagement has continued alongside diplomatic outreach.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Parag Jain led a four-member Indian delegation to Dhaka on Monday for high-level talks on regional security.

Jain met Tarique’s Defence Affairs Advisor, retired brigadier general AKM Shamsul Islam and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, with the sides exchanging views on regional security developments.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/310058/india-courts-to-decide-on-hasinas-extradition-indian-media

India courts to decide on Hasina’s extradition: Indian media
Diplomatic Correspondent 16 August, 2026, 19:39

Sheikh Hasina | File photo

The Indian judiciary, rather than the government, will ultimately decide on Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.

Citing senior Indian government officials, the newspaper said such requests must be considered and decided by the Indian judiciary.

According to the report, Delhi and Dhaka are holding discussions to move away from what India views as a ‘maximalist position’.

‘The decision to extradite will finally be taken by our courts; it will not be a political or diplomatic decision,’ a senior Indian official told The Indian Express.

The official added that the court would have to determine whether the alleged crimes constitute offences under Indian law.

Indian foreign ministry officials told the newspaper that Bangladesh’s extradition request includes the required legal documents under the 2013 India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty.

The treaty envisages an ‘obligation’ for return of those who have been charged with or have been found guilty or are wanted for the enforcement of a ‘judicially pronounced penalty.’ It also mentions that should there be an extraditable offence, it would be dealt with by the ‘judicial authority of the other contracting state’, according to the report.

‘Article 6 of the treaty states that offences of a “political character” shall not be entertained but also lists 12 offences such as murder, manslaughter, assault, use of firearms, incitement to murder and so on as offences which shall not be regarded as offences of a political character,’ The Indian Express said.

The report cited India’s Extradition Act, 1962, which states that, after considering the relevant extradition arrangement, an inquiry magistrate may be appointed to examine the case.

If the magistrate finds that the fugitive criminal should be surrendered in response to the request, they may recommend extradition in their report. If not, and no prima facie case is established in support of the foreign state’s request, the magistrate shall discharge the fugitive criminal.

An Indian official also said Hasina had indicated she planned to return to Bangladesh in December, while acknowledging that the extradition issue remains part of ongoing diplomatic exchanges between Delhi and Dhaka.

Hasina has remained in India since her ouster in the August 2024 mass uprising. Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity, while the government has banned the activities of the Awami League.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh and India should decide on Hasina issue together, US says

The United States has expressed its "hope" that Bangladesh and India will decide together on the issue of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Washington says it has not yet given a specific opinion on what should happen to Hasina. A US

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh and India should decide on Hasina issue together, US says

The United States has expressed its "hope" that Bangladesh and India will decide together on the issue of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.

Washington says it has not yet given a specific opinion on what should happen to Hasina.

A US State Department official outlined the Trump administration's position at an "on-background" briefing in New York on Wednesday.

The briefing, titled "US Policy in Support of a Stable, Prosperous and Sovereign South Asia", was held at the New York Foreign Press Center.

It was attended by journalists from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, including representatives from bdnews24.com.

Hasina has been living in India since she was ousted in a student-led mass uprising in 2024. She was sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh last November on charges of crimes against humanity for ordering deadly repression to suppress the movement.

Hasina has announced that she will return to Bangladesh by December and surrender to the court, bearing her death sentence in mind.

However, she has also spoken about concerns for her own security and sought the opportunity to challenge the trial being conducted in her absence.

Under the circumstances, a US State Department official was asked about the country’s position on Hasina in a briefing on Wednesday.

In response, he said: "The US has not yet taken any official position on this issue. We understand that the issue has become a major cause of hostility between India and Bangladesh.

"So we hope that they will reach a solution through discussions among themselves. And we have not yet specified what should happen to Hasina."

The official was also asked whether there is a possibility of President Donald Trump or his Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Questions also came up at the briefing about the lifting of the ban on the activities of the Awami League and US-China relations.

Asked about the US’s position on the Awami League ban, the official said: "I do not want to speak about the internal politics of Bangladesh, but I would like to say that our relations with Bangladesh, with the BNP, are in a very good place.

“We want to continue working with the elected government. We are on the side of the work that is ongoing to make Bangladesh stronger and safer. The United States has no qualms about making Bangladesh more prosperous. So, I do not think it is appropriate to say anything about the internal politics of Bangladesh.”

When a journalist asked specifically about the issue of lifting the ban on the Awami League, he said: “That decision will have to be taken by the Bangladesh government.”

A reporter said at the briefing, “Bangladesh is trying to maintain good relations with the United States, India, and China. How is it possible to maintain diplomatic relations with all the three major powers without choosing any one? How does the United States view this?”

In response, the official said: “Geographically, Bangladesh is in a complex part of the world. Your point is that they are located next to a much larger neighbouring country than the United States. We always encourage every country to stay in their sphere.

“We want to help you consolidate your sovereignty; we want to help you keep your system secure.”

“We want to present an alternative,” he said. “We’re not saying you have to choose; we want to be an alternative for these countries.”

A reporter at the briefing said that President Trump had written to Prime Minister Tarique after the 13th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and expressed interest in meeting him.

Asked if the two leaders could meet in New York, the official said: “I can’t comment on the president’s schedule. However, he had a very brief meeting with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman this week. It was also possible for him to take pictures with the president. Not all foreign ministers had the opportunity to meet or take pictures with the president.”

Before the briefing, Bethany Morrison, deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia at the State Department, spoke about the situation in South Asia and the Trump administration’s policies. She then participated in a photo session with reporters.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/420979/humaiun-hasina-has-no-chance-of-returning-to

Humaiun: Hasina has no chance of returning to Bangladesh

'Those who flee or are driven out have little chance of returning,' the state minister says

File image of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir. Photo: Collected

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has no chance of returning to Bangladesh, describing her planned virtual participation in an event in London as a “meaningless activity.”

He made the remarks while responding to reporters after a meeting with South Korean Ambassador Kim Ji-jun at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Asked about the government’s position on Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy joining a news conference in London virtually on Wednesday, Kobir said the event was not being organised by the UK government. He said the government would inform the relevant authorities if necessary.

“Speaking virtually from India to an event in London, these are meaningless activities,” he said.

On Hasina’s political future, Kobir said, “There is no opportunity for her to return to Bangladesh. Those who flee or are driven out have very little chance of returning.”

Kobir also criticised Hasina’s 15-year rule, alleging that she had “persecuted” people and damaged various state institutions. He further alleged that her family members and party leaders were involved in looting the country.

“Those who fled or were driven out, their politics is over. That is where it ends,” he said.

The government has previously said it is pursuing diplomatic and legal efforts to bring Hasina back from India.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/316471/hasina-extradition-process-ongoing-no-timeline-dinesh-trivedi

Hasina extradition process ongoing, no timeline: Dinesh Trivedi
Staff Correspondent . Dhaka 04 October, 2026, 01:12

Dinesh Trivedi. | File photo

Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, on Saturday said the legal process concerning Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India was ongoing, but no timeframe could be given now.

‘There is a legal and well-structured process. The process is on,’ Trivedi said at a panel discussion on the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka.

Prime minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the three-day geopolitical conference organised by independent think tank Centre of Governance Studies, at a city hotel on Saturday morning.

Replying to a question from participants, he said that Hasina was not brought to India by the Indian Air Force or Army.

Hasina, boarding a Bangladesh Air Force helicopter, fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024 and she has been sheltered there since then.

‘Hasina was still the prime minister of Bangladesh [that time]. India had hardly any choice on that. It was our duty as a neighbour to accept the reality of life when tragic circumstances unfolded. Such incidents involving mass deaths should never be repeated anywhere in the world,’ he said.

Bangladesh has repeatedly requested India to extradite Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for committing atrocities during the July-August student protests in 2024.

On bilateral relations, Trivedi said Bangladesh was an independent and sovereign country and understood very well its own security interests.

‘Whatever the decision Bangladesh takes is the decision of the elected Bangladesh government,’ he said.

Regarding people fleeing trial of killing mass people during the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh and taking refuge in India, he said the relevant legal processes were also ongoing.

‘Such of the outstanding issues between the two countries could only be resolved through dialogue at the appropriate forum, with trust forming the basis of such dialogue,’ he said.

Former Indian Army commander Arun Kumar Sahni said India pursued a policy of strategic autonomy and expected South Asian countries to pursue their national interests in their own ways too.

ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, said Bangladesh considered both India and China friendly countries and had cooperation mechanisms with both.

Mustafa Osman Turan, foreign relations adviser to the mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and Carol Christine Fair, professor at Georgetown University, also participated in the discussion, moderated by Faris Hadrovic, managing director of Cnsltng-Bsnss-Dvlpmnt, Bosnia and Herzegovina.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/316623/bangladesh-expects-political-intent-on-hasina-extradition-shama-obaed

Bangladesh expects political intent on Hasina extradition: Shama Obaed

United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 05 October, 2026, 01:22

Shama Obaed Islam

Bangladesh expected India to expedite the ongoing extradition process to bring back accused individuals, including convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as swiftly as possible, said state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday.

Stressing that political intent is equally important alongside legal procedures, she said while legal procedures must be respected, political intent was equally crucial.

‘We hope the government of India will focus on expediting the ongoing extradition process to bring the accused back,’ she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when her attention was drawn to Indian high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi’s comments.

Both countries must have political will, Shama said, noting that the government of Bangladesh certainly has the political will and that the Indian government needs to have it as well.

The state minister said it is entirely possible to extradite the accused under the framework of the extradition treaty and that the legal process is actively being pursued.

‘To give you a straight answer, again and again, the government of India, through the spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs, has replied to this that there is a process, and the process involves legality and it is well structured. So, as far as that is concerned, the process is on,’ Trivedi said on Saturday.

The courts are involved in the matter and, therefore, ‘nobody can give you a timeframe’, he said at a discussion titled Power and Prudence: Managing Great-Power Competition without Conflict as part of the ongoing Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka.

The Indian high commissioner highlighted the need for continuous dialogue, mutual respect and trust between the two countries to address bilateral issues, saying that every issue between the two neighbours has a solution.

‘There’s no point hiding the issues, and there’s no point not talking about the issues,’ he said.

Trivedi, who faced a couple of questions, said the two countries need to discuss all outstanding issues, including water, trade, culture, sports, communication and transportation, through appropriate forums.

‘In a democracy, the dialogue has to be there at the proper forum. And the dialogue has to be a continuous dialogue,’ he said, noting that the process of engagement between the two countries may be slow, but it has not stopped.

‘I can guarantee you, there is no stoppage of process. The process is ongoing,’ Trivedi said. ‘Believe me, there has to be a solution, and there will be a solution.’​

 

[Saif]

Anyone saying ‘December is at the door’ has no connection with Bangladesh: Adviser Titumir

Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the prime minister’s finance adviser, told a Dhaka seminar on the 1974 famine that anyone predicting the Awami League’s return has no connection with Bangladesh. He called the party’s 2024 ouster a people’s victory and linked the famine to state alienation...

en.prothomalo.com

Anyone saying ‘December is at the door’ has no connection with Bangladesh: Adviser Titumir
The prime minister’s adviser pointed to continuities between the systems of governance from 1972 to 1975 and the Awami League government’s rule from 2009 to 2024.

Staff Correspondent

Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning, addresses as the chief guest at a discussion titled “The Famine of 1974: Post-Independence Economic Crisis”, held at the Monsoon Theatre Hall of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, Dhaka on 8 November 2026 Prothom Alo

Those who are talking about the Awami League’s return next December have no connection with Bangladesh, said Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning.

He said there was currently no one capable of reviving the Awami League, unlike the situation after 1975, when efforts were made to revive the party.

Professor Titumir described the “ousting of the Awami League” by the people of Bangladesh in 2024 as a victory for the country.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled “The Famine of 1974: Post-Independence Economic Crisis”, held at the Monsoon Theatre Hall of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum on Sunday afternoon.

The discussion was the fifth instalment of the museum’s Democratic Journey Seminar Series.

“If anyone says that ‘December is knocking at the door’, it should be understood that they have no connection with the soil, grass or water of Bangladesh,” Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said.

Titumir, a professor in the Department of Development Studies at Dhaka University, said the 1974 famine could not be explained solely by food shortages or failures in the market system. Rather, it was also rooted in the state’s estrangement from the people, a crisis of political legitimacy and the role of violence.

The prime minister’s adviser pointed to continuities between the systems of governance from 1972 to 1975 and the Awami League government’s rule from 2009 to 2024.

He said both periods were characterised by governments becoming detached from people’s aspirations and attempting to retain power through patronage and violence.

Titumir said similar tendencies were evident during both 1971–75 and 2009–24, including the suppression of opposition, abuse of state power and the use of violence to remain in office.

Rashe Al Mahmud Titumir said three theories are generally put forward to explain the 1974 famine. These concern a decline in overall food availability, people’s lack of purchasing power or access to food, and the absence of a social contract to prevent famine. The influence of international food aid and Cold War geopolitics is also cited.

However, he argued that these explanations fail to adequately address the crisis in the relationship between the state and its people.

According to the incumbent PM’s adviser, people’s aspirations were not reflected in the way the country was governed after independence. A disconnect developed between the people and those in power. In these circumstances, a system of patronage emerged as a means of retaining power, extending from rural areas to the centre. The influence of this patronage system was also evident in “rationing” and food distribution.

Titumir said similar tendencies were evident during both 1971–75 and 2009–24, including the suppression of opposition, abuse of state power and the use of violence to remain in office.

He also pointed to similarities in food prices during the two periods. While international rice prices fell, prices in the Bangladeshi market rose, he said. The international price of rice stood at US$147 per tonne in 1972 before rising to $542 in 1974. He noted that domestic prices in Bangladesh were higher than those in the international market during the same period.

The prime minister’s adviser further said that when the state becomes alienated from the people and resorts to violence to retain power, conditions conducive to famine and plunder emerge. Therefore, any discussion of the 1974 famine must consider not only economic statistics but also state violence and loss of life during that period.

Describing the 2024 mass uprising as a victory for the people, Titumir said Bangladeshis had repeatedly asserted their sovereignty. He said the people had played a role in establishing their rights in 1971, 1975, 1990 and 2024.

However, he stressed that making this victory sustainable required effective state institutions. Highlighting the role of the Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament), he said the state must retain the exclusive authority to exercise legitimate “violence”, but that authority must remain accountable.

An effective parliament was essential for this purpose, he said. Article 7 of the Constitution recognises the sovereignty of the people, and parliament is the institution through which this principle must be upheld. The challenges of state-building cannot be addressed through street movements without making parliament effective, he added.

The prime minister’s adviser further said that when the state becomes alienated from the people and resorts to violence to retain power, conditions conducive to famine and plunder emerge. Therefore, any discussion of the 1974 famine must consider not only economic statistics but also state violence and loss of life during that period.

The seminar was chaired by Ehsan Mahmud, director-general of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum. Writer and treasurer of the Panam Institute Asif Iqbal, and economist and researcher Nahian bin Khaled, also spoke at the event.​

 

[Saif]

Sheikh Hasina will never be welcomed back by people: Rizvi

At a Dhaka University event marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day, BNP acting secretary-general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina would never receive a public welcome if she returned from India. He accused Hasina’s government of fascism and suppressing opposition, and praised the...

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Sheikh Hasina will never be welcomed back by people: Rizvi

Criticising Sheikh Hasina’s regime, Rizvi noted that while her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had established BAKSAL, Sheikh Hasina crafted a far more terrifying incarnation of it under a different guise.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Acting Secretary-General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister, addresses a programme as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to mark the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on 7 November. The event took place at the TSC auditorium of Dhaka University on 8 November 2026 Prothom Alo

Should Sheikh Hasina return to the country, the people will never accord her a reception, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Acting Secretary-General of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister said on Sunday.

He also said that Sheikh Hasina is currently issuing threats from India, saying, “I am coming back, I will do this and that.” By issuing such declarations from India, she imagines she can return home to crowds greeting her with drums and applause; she is merely indulging in daydreams.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made these remarks as the chief guest today at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) to mark the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on 7 November. The event took place at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium of Dhaka University.

Addressing the gathering, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi declared, “In Bengal—a land that gives birth to brave sons—no fugitive, no coward who flees like a jackal, and no tyrant who hesitates not to spill the blood of their own country’s children will ever fly back to usurp power with public acceptance. This will simply never happen.”

Criticising Sheikh Hasina’s regime, Rizvi noted that while her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had established BAKSAL, Sheikh Hasina crafted a far more terrifying incarnation of it under a different guise. During her rule, every sphere of the state was brought under her absolute control.

The BNP acting secretary-general added that the regime maintained its grip on power by weaponising state institutions, including law enforcement agencies.

Supported by the Indian government on one hand and controlling state machinery on the other, she established a fascist regime, he stated.

The July 2024 Mass Uprising was the culmination of long-standing student and public protests and resistance against this tyranny, Rizvi added.

7 November marked the beginning of multi-party democracy

Highlighting the significance of 7 November as National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi remarked that during the 17 years of fascist rule, official observance of the day was prohibited. Nevertheless, various social and political organisations kept the occasion alive, ensuring that the essence and underlying spirit of 7 November were never erased.

He added that 7 November initiated the journey of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and secured democratic rights. It also marked the beginning of a foreign policy and domestic decision-making process free from external influence. Who Bangladesh chooses to befriend or build alliances with remains the sole prerogative of its government and people; Bangladesh’s foreign policy will not be dictated by external instructions or signals.

Rizvi further observed that after independence, a climate was created where citizens were deprived of freedom of speech and political expression. Anyone criticising the government risked enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing. The Rakkhi Bahini was formed to ruthlessly suppress opposition leaders and activists. The events of 7 November delivered the nation from that atmosphere, establishing an environment for fearless political expression.

Speaking at the event, Chhatra Dal Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib stated that Bangladesh failed to achieve genuine independence immediately after 1971. During that era, fascism and BAKSAL were repeatedly imposed on the nation, alongside multiple coups within the military. However, through the Sepoy-People’s Revolution and the landmark steps taken by the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh were ultimately safeguarded.

Rakib further remarked that from the establishment of BAKSAL to the consolidation of fascism up until 2024, only one political entity has been consistently responsible: the Awami League (whose activities are currently banned in the country).

The party has repeatedly posed a threat to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, he stated.

The JCD central president further said the Awami League compromised national interests in its dealings with neighbouring states and engaged in continuous conspiracies. Although its leaders have now fled the country, their plotting remains unabated.

Moderated by JCD Central General Secretary Nasir Uddin, the discussion was also addressed by its Organisational Secretary Amanullah Aman, Senior Joint General Secretary Shyamal Malum, alongside leaders and activists from city, various universities, and college units of the organisation.​

 

[Saif]

The message is loud and clear, we are on the streets, we must remain on the streets: PM

Sheikh Hasina has told international news agency Reuters in an interview that she wants to return to Bangladesh and surrender to the court. According to a Reuters report, an application has been submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday by London-based legal consultancy...

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The message is loud and clear, we are on the streets, we must remain on the streets: PM

Special Correspondent

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting of the ruling party’s parliamentary group at the Parliament Secretariat on 9 November 2026. Courtesy: The Prime Minister’s Office

The government will take necessary steps under the existing extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India if ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina wants to return to Bangladesh.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made the remark when the issue of Hasina’s return came up at a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday afternoon, according to sources at the meeting.

The meeting was held at the ruling party’s meeting room in parliament in the afternoon, ahead of the fourth session of the 13th parliament with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. He did not make any remarks on the matter.

However, multiple sources present at the meeting said Tarique Rahman told the BNP lawmakers, “The message is loud and clear: We are on the streets, and we must remain on the streets. We must confront all conspiracies on the streets.”

It is to mention that, Sheikh Hasina has told international news agency Reuters in an interview that she wants to return to Bangladesh and surrender to the court. According to a Reuters report, an application has been submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday by London-based legal consultancy Matrix Chambers on her behalf, seeking a new passport and national identity card (NID).

Multiple sources present at the BNP parliamentary party meeting said discussions were held on ongoing road development projects under the Local Government and Communications Ministry, the energy and electricity situation, and the market situation for essential commodities ahead of Ramadan.

During the meeting, the prime minister sought detailed updates from the relevant ministers on the activities of their respective ministries. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed briefed the meeting on the country’s law and order situation.

The issue of Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League (whose activities now banned), returning to Bangladesh was briefly discussed at the meeting. In this regard, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty. The government will take necessary steps in accordance with the rules, laws and established practices.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the authenticity and legal basis of Sheikh Hasina’s application for a new passport and national identity card (NID) to return to Bangladesh are being verified. He made the remarks at a press briefing on contemporary issues at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir described Sheikh Hasina’s application for a new passport and NID as “extremely ridiculous”. Responding to journalists’ questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at noon, he said there was a specific legal process for Hasina if she genuinely wanted to return to Bangladesh. He added that there was no scope for her to return to the country using a new passport.

The state minister said Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty. If Sheikh Hasina wishes, she can request the Indian government to hand her over to Bangladesh under the treaty. He also said she could return to the country, surrender to the court and serve her sentence.

According to the Reuters report, this is the first application by Sheikh Hasina for a passport and NID since she left Bangladesh for India following the student-people’s uprising on 5 August 2024.

Hasina has already announced that she will return to Bangladesh next December. The issue has stirred discussions at home for quite some time.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/politics/321744/dhaka-says-no-passport-nid-for-convicted-fugitive-hasina

Dhaka says no passport, NID for convicted fugitive Hasina
Govt insists on her extradition

Staff Correspondent . Dhaka

Dhaka has said Bangladesh does not issue passports or national identity cards to a ‘convicted fugitive and criminal’, amid media reports that deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, now sheltered in India, has sought a new passport and NID card through a British law firm.

It said the government had already sent a formal letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the neighbouring country, seeking her extradition under the existing extradition treaty and in accordance with the law.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday confirmed receiving a letter from London-based law firm Matrix Chambers in favour of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024.

The high commission, however, said the letter carried no authorisation from Hasina.

In November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for ordering a deadly crackdown on the uprising, in which as many as 1,400 people might have been killed, according to United Nations estimates.

‘We have received an email from a firm named Matrix Chambers. It requested the issuance of a passport and NID for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina without any authorisation. However, we do not know whether the request is authentic,’ Bangladesh High Commission press minister in New Delhi Saidur Rahman told New Age.

He said there was no way to verify whether the request had been made on Hasina’s behalf, as the firm had provided no document or evidence showing that she had authorised the letter.

‘However, we have forwarded the email to the foreign ministry [in Dhaka],’ Saidur said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh would not issue a passport or national identity card to Hasina, describing her as a ‘convicted fugitive and criminal’.

‘Bangladesh does not issue passports to terrorists. We have asked for them to be handed over,’ he told journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital, Dhaka.

The letter, written by Steven Powles KC, a barrister at Matrix Chambers, gave the firm’s address as the Griffin Building, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5LN, DX 400 Chancery Lane T.

Powles said he was writing in his capacity as legal counsel representing Sheikh Hasina, former prime minister of Bangladesh.

‘In view of the reported revocation of her Bangladeshi passport and National Identity Card by the Interim Government and other authorities, I respectfully request that you take the necessary steps to issue a new

Bangladeshi passport and National Identity Card for our client,’ the letter read.

It added, ‘Our request is made on the basis of her Bangladeshi nationality in accordance with any obligations arising under the laws of Bangladesh as well as any applicable obligations arising under international human rights instruments.’

Powles said the firm would be grateful if the high commission examined the matter and advised it on the formalities and documentation required to process the application expeditiously.

Hasina’s passport was revoked by the interim government in January 2025.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters on Monday that the government was verifying the authenticity and legal basis of reports that Hasina had applied for a passport and an NID.

‘I have also heard the news and seen it on news tickers that fugitive convict Sheikh Hasina has applied for a passport and an NID. But I have not yet been able to verify its authenticity,’ he said.

The minister said the government had already sent a formal letter to the country where Hasina had taken refuge, seeking her extradition.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina’s extradition to be resolved legally: Indian external affairs spokesman

India’s foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal has said that the extradition of ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be resolved legally. India’s statement came amid discussions over Hasina’s request for a Bangladeshi passport and national identity card to ret

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina’s extradition to be resolved legally: Indian external affairs spokesman

India’s foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal has said that the extradition of ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be resolved legally.

India’s statement came amid discussions over Hasina’s request for a Bangladeshi passport and national identity card to return home.

In November last year, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced Hasina to death in absentia. She received the sentence for ordering a deadly crackdown to suppress the student-led 2024 July Uprising. However, she has denied the allegations from India.

Hasina had previously announced her plan to return home in December. She had told Reuters that she intended to return home to surrender before the court.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that a London-based law firm had written to the acting Bangladeshi high commissioner in Delhi requesting a new passport and national identity card on Hasina’s behalf.

The Bangladesh government has yet to make a clear statement on this application. However, they have demanded that Hasina be handed over to Bangladeshi authorities to face justice since she fled the country.

At least four journalists at Tuesday’s briefing asked about the Indian government’s position on the situation.

Reporter Gautam Lahiri said, “A Bangladeshi national – citizen – wants to go back to her country. In this situation, whether India has any role to play, to negotiate, or talk to its counterpart of Bangladesh?”

AFP journalist Bhuvan Bagga wanted to know if there were any new talks between New Delhi and Dhaka on Hasina’s extradition.

Satya Krishna Mohan of the Indian Express said that the Bangladesh government wants “Sheikh Hasina to be extradited. What is the Indian government’s position on this issue?”

The Hindu journalist Kallol Bhattacherjee asked, “Is it possible to extradite a person without a passport? Is a passport essential for extradition?”

In response to these questions, Jaiswal said, “The issue of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition is a matter of law and justice. Further action will be taken in this regard as per the law.”

Regarding travel documents, Jaiswal said: “This is a legal matter. A person needs a valid travel document to travel.”

Jaiswal said that he will look into the specific technical aspects of this issue and will inform them at a later time.

Questions also came up about the water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh at the briefing.

In response, Jaiswal said: “There is no new information on this issue beyond the statements given in the previous briefing.”

When asked if there was any new information on a potential visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India or discussions on this issue, the spokesperson said: “There is no update to confirm at this time.”​