The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has officially stated that there is no change in its position regarding the potential return of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka. This clarification follows recent reports that the 78-year-old leader, who has been living in exile in India since August 2024, intends to return to her home country by December to revive her political party, the Awami League. Hasina currently faces a death sentence in Bangladesh for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student-led protests that led to the collapse of her government.
During a weekly media briefing, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed questions about whether India would facilitate her return or comply with extradition requests from the current government in Dhaka. Jaiswal emphasized that any matter concerning extradition is a legal issue and will be handled through the appropriate legal processes. He maintained that India’s approach remains consistent, avoiding any public indication of a shift in policy despite the evolving political landscape in Bangladesh.
The situation remains a point of significant diplomatic interest as Bangladesh seeks to pursue legal proceedings against the former leader. While the interim and subsequent governments in Dhaka have requested her extradition, India has continued to treat the request as a matter to be examined in line with established judicial and legal procedures. The uncertainty surrounding Hasina's future and her stated desire to face justice on her own soil continues to influence the bilateral relationship between the two nations.