The Indian government has not yet issued a formal response to Bangladesh’s extradition request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in India since August 5, following her escape from widespread protests in Dhaka. The request, sent by the Bangladesh High Commission to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on December 23 via a note verbale, has raised questions about whether India will agree to the request or reject it.
While India has remained silent on its stance, experts believe Bangladesh’s demand may not be successful, citing India’s reluctance to act on the request. Analysts suggest that the approach used by Bangladesh, particularly the informal nature of a note verbale, may have contributed to the lack of urgency in India’s response. Furthermore, the India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty, signed in 2013, contains provisions that could complicate the extradition process.
The treaty includes Article 6, which allows India to refuse extradition if the alleged offence is deemed political. Article 8 also provides grounds for rejection if the request is not made in good faith or does not align with the principles of justice. These provisions may present significant hurdles for Bangladesh’s request, especially as the political context surrounding Hasina’s flight from Bangladesh adds complexity to the situation.
Despite these challenges, Sheikh Hasina still has the legal right to contest the extradition request in India’s courts. However, sources suggest that Bangladesh’s approach may be politically motivated, aimed at appeasing student groups protesting against the interim government of Mohammad Yunus.
The extradition request has come amid growing tensions between India and Bangladesh, with bilateral relations further strained under Yunus’s leadership. The timing of the request, coupled with the current diplomatic environment, has added another layer of complexity to an already sensitive issue.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the receipt of the request but refrained from commenting on India’s position. “India has received a verbal note from the Bangladeshi side regarding the extradition request,” Jaiswal stated on December 23.
With no official word on India’s next steps, experts believe that any potential extradition will require significant diplomatic efforts and may face delays due to the procedural requirements of the Extradition Treaty.