Bangladesh has stepped up diplomatic outreach as it continues efforts to bring back ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India. In a major development, Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Khalilur Rahman met India’s NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting marks a significant moment in Bangladesh’s renewed push for Hasina’s extradition.
High-Level Security Talks Held in Delhi
According to an official release by the Bangladesh government, the two NSAs discussed major “bilateral issues” and reviewed cooperation under the Colombo Security Conclave. During the talks, Rahman invited Ajit Doval to visit Bangladesh “at his convenience”.
As reported by ANI, this is the highest-level security meeting since the interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus took charge after Hasina’s removal in 2024.
Bangladesh Renews Pressure on India to Return Hasina
The meeting follows Bangladesh’s recent public call urging India to hand over Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since August 2024, after massive student protests forced her out of office.
In a strongly worded statement, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said India has an “obligatory responsibility” to return Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal under the existing extradition treaty.
“Providing refuge to these individuals, who have been convicted of crimes against humanity, by any other country would be a highly unfriendly act and a disregard for justice,” the ministry said in its letter.
ICT-BD Convicts Hasina, Calls Crackdown a Crime Against Humanity
On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) delivered its verdict against Hasina, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The tribunal found them guilty on several charges linked to the July 2024 student protest crackdown.
Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder said Hasina was responsible for incitement, giving orders that led to killings, and failing to stop the violence.
“These killings happened under the orders and full knowledge of PM Sheikh Hasina. By such acts, they committed crimes against humanity,” the charges stated.
Hasina rejected all the allegations, calling the verdict “biased and politically motivated”. She also said the tribunal did not give her a fair chance to defend herself.
India Maintains Cautious Silence on Extradition Demand
India has not commented on Bangladesh’s extradition request. However, the Ministry of External Affairs reacted to the death sentence issued to Hasina.
“As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country,” the MEA said.
No further statement has been issued on whether India plans to act on Bangladesh’s demand.
Bangladesh May Approach Interpol Next
Reports now indicate that Dhaka may escalate its efforts to the international level. According to The Daily Star, Bangladesh is preparing to seek Interpol’s assistance to extradite Hasina and Kamal.
The Chief Prosecutor’s Office of the tribunal that convicted Hasina is finalising an application for this purpose. The request is expected to be sent through Bangladesh’s foreign ministry in the coming days.
