Dhaka not expecting quick Delhi reply on Hasina extradition request
Bangladesh has officially written to India seeking the handover of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was recently sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July-August mass uprising.
However, Dhaka does not expect an immediate response from New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain confirmed on Wednesday, November 26, that a note verbale – a formal diplomatic communication – was sent by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to India’s Ministry of External Affairs following the verdict on November 17.
“No response has been received yet,” Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We do not expect a reply so soon. We did not receive a response to the previous letter either, so I do not expect an answer tomorrow or within a week. But we do expect that India will eventually respond.”
He said the letter clearly stated Bangladesh’s position: “Since she has been convicted, she should be returned.”
Second request in one year
This is the second time Bangladesh has formally asked India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka sent a similar request in December last year, which also remains unanswered.
The latest diplomatic note was reportedly dispatched shortly after National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman returned from New Delhi, where he attended the Colombo Security Conclave meeting on November 20 at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval.
Verdict and aftermath
On November 17, the ICT sentenced Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness, received a five-year prison term.
Following the ruling, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said India is obligated under the existing extradition treaty to return both convicted individuals. The ministry also warned that providing shelter to them would be “a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice.”
India responds to verdict, not to extradition request
While New Delhi has not yet replied to Dhaka’s extradition appeal, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it had “noted the verdict” and reiterated that India remains committed to supporting peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in Bangladesh.
“As a close neighbour, India will always engage constructively with all stakeholders,” the statement said –though it made no mention of the extradition issue.
Election observers: ‘EC’s decision’
Meanwhile, when asked whether Bangladesh would permit Indian observers for the upcoming general election, Adviser Touhid Hossain clarified that it is entirely up to the Election Commission.
“We have no role in this. We will not provide assistance unless the Election Commission asks us to,” he said.
With no reply from India yet and political developments accelerating at home, Dhaka appears to be preparing for a prolonged wait over one of the most sensitive diplomatic questions in recent years.