As Bangladesh awaits a reply from India regarding its formal request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, interim government Adviser Mahfuj Alam indicated that India might decline to return her.
"Our observation is that they have made a political decision that they will not return her. We are hearing as such," Mahfuj Alam said when questioned about discussions or observations regarding Hasina’s stay in India.
The adviser made the remarks while speaking to reporters after attending a foreign policy dialogue titled “Establishing New Bangladesh: Internal Reforms and Foreign Policy,” moderated by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam also participated in the event.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam recently confirmed that the government sent a formal diplomatic letter, or note verbale, to New Delhi on Monday, seeking Hasina’s extradition. He added that Bangladesh would issue a reminder if no response is received within a reasonable time frame.
“Surely, we will wait until a certain period. The diplomatic letter (note verbale) was handed over on Monday only. A reminder will be given writing again if no reply comes (from the Indian side),” Alam stated during a weekly briefing.
The spokesperson clarified that the next course of action would depend on India’s reply. “At this moment, we won’t make any comments as we will wait for the reply,” he said, noting that the extradition treaty does not specify a time limit for responses.
Adviser Mahfuj Alam emphasized the need for a “pragmatic relationship” with all nations while enhancing Bangladesh’s negotiation capacity. “We want to boost our capacity to enhance bargaining strength in the international arena,” he said, calling for an end to the “knee-jerk foreign policy” of the past.
He also stressed the importance of national security, integrity, and sovereignty, stating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must prioritize Bangladesh's interests over any party agenda. “The government puts Bangladesh’s interest on top of its priorities,” Alam affirmed.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed on December 23 that New Delhi had received Bangladesh’s extradition request for Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina, facing over 100 cases, including charges of murder, genocide, and crimes against humanity related to the July uprising, fled to India on August 5.
The extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India, signed in 2013 and amended in 2016, provides the legal framework for such requests. In July 2016, both nations amended Article 10 (3) of the treaty to facilitate the swift extradition of fugitives.
On December 8, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reiterated Bangladesh’s intent to pursue Hasina’s extradition. “Our government’s position on the extradition of Sheikh Hasina is very clear. We want to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country to face the law,” he said during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
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