Bangladesh Requesting the Return of Sheikh Hasina from India

In a significant diplomatic move, Bangladesh has formally approached India with a request to facilitate the return of its former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. This development follows a turbulent period marked by dramatic political shifts and civil unrest.

Details of the Diplomatic Request

As of Monday, a diplomatic note was formally dispatched by the interim government of Bangladesh to India, seeking Sheikh Hasina’s return. She has been residing in India since August 5, following tumultuous events in Dhaka. The interim government’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, confirmed the dispatch of the note verbale to Indian authorities, emphasizing the necessity of her presence in Bangladesh to proceed with the judicial process. He stated, “Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process.”

The Context Leading to the Extradition Request

The political scene in Bangladesh took a dramatic turn when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India after thousands of protesters stormed her residence. This request for her return is backed by a pre-existing extradition treaty between the two neighboring countries. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury highlighted the possibility of leveraging this treaty to bring Hasina back to face legal proceedings in Bangladesh.

Comments from Interim Government Officials

In September, Muhammad Yunus, who serves as the Chief Advisor to the interim Bangladeshi government, commented on Hasina’s current situation. Yunus expressed dissatisfaction over Hasina’s active engagement in political discourse while residing in India. He remarked, “If India wants to keep her until the time Bangladesh [the government] wants her back, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet.”

He further explained the complications arising from Hasina’s outspoken stance, suggesting that her silence would have significantly reduced tensions, allowing the situation to deescalate naturally.

Sheikh Hasina’s Response

From her temporary residence in India, Hasina addressed her supporters via virtual media, dismissing allegations made by Yunus and other interim government officials. She pointedly criticized the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Das and accused Yunus and his associates of orchestrating civil disturbances. Hasina declared, “The murderers and conspirators who have harmed our nation will be held accountable under Bangladeshi law,” asserting the imperative for legal action against those she deems responsible for recent unrest.

Potential Implications

The diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and India regarding the extradition of a former Prime Minister is a noteworthy development in South Asian geopolitics. The outcome could set a precedent for how regional treaties are employed under similar circumstances. Sheikh Hasina’s return might not only influence domestic politics in Bangladesh but could also recalibrate Indo-Bangladesh relations.