India on Tuesday reiterated that there has been no change in its position regarding former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following her announcement that she intends to return to Bangladesh by December despite facing a death sentence. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said any issue relating to her possible extradition would be treated strictly as a legal matter and handled in accordance with the applicable legal framework. The clarification came amid renewed speculation over Hasina's future after her comments about ending her self-imposed exile in India.
Responding to questions during a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi's approach remains unchanged. "There is no change in our approach to the matter. Any extradition matter is a legal issue, and it will be dealt with accordingly," Jaiswal told reporters when asked whether India had been in touch with the Bangladeshi authorities regarding Hasina's proposed return and any arrangements related to her safety. The MEA did not provide further details on whether any formal communication had taken place between the two governments on the issue.
Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August 2024 after fleeing Dhaka following the collapse of her government. Her departure came after weeks of large-scale student-led anti-government protests that escalated into a nationwide political crisis. The unrest ultimately led to the end of her administration, prompting her to leave Bangladesh and seek refuge in India. Since then, Bangladesh has undergone significant political changes, with the country's authorities initiating legal proceedings against the former prime minister in multiple cases.
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In a recent interview, Hasina said she plans to return to Bangladesh by December this year and surrender before the country's judicial authorities. Her statement has drawn considerable attention because she is reportedly facing a death sentence in one of the cases against her. Although she has not publicly disclosed further details of her planned return, her remarks have reignited debate over the legal and diplomatic implications of her decision. Any request concerning her extradition or transfer would have to be processed under the legal mechanisms governing relations between India and Bangladesh.
India has consistently maintained that extradition matters are governed by law rather than political considerations. New Delhi has avoided commenting on the merits of the legal proceedings against Hasina or the internal political developments in Bangladesh, instead emphasizing that any future action would be based on established legal procedures and bilateral agreements. The MEA's latest remarks reinforce India's longstanding position that it will not speculate on hypothetical scenarios and will respond only through the appropriate legal channels if and when required.
The issue remains diplomatically sensitive given the close strategic and economic ties between India and Bangladesh. Hasina served as one of Bangladesh's longest-serving prime ministers and played a key role in strengthening bilateral relations with New Delhi during her tenure. Her proposed return is therefore expected to attract close attention from both governments as well as the international community. While India has not indicated any change in its policy, developments in the coming months could have implications for bilateral diplomacy and regional politics. For now, New Delhi has made it clear that its stance remains unchanged and that any future decision regarding Sheikh Hasina will be determined solely through the legal process.
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