Bangladesh Demands Extradition of Sheikh Hasina After Death Sentence — India’s Next Move Holds the Key to a Diplomatic Crossroads
By Tajdar H Zaidi
New Delhi: Bangladesh’s political landscape entered a tense new phase on Monday (November 17, 2025) after Dhaka formally asked New Delhi to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both of whom were handed death sentences by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 for crimes against humanity during the 2024 student uprising.
Hasina, who fled Bangladesh after the violent unrest last year, has been believed to be in India—though unconfirmed reports now suggest she may have moved again.
Dhaka insists that India is obliged to hand her over under the extradition treaty between the two nations.
The tribunal ruled that Hasina and Kamal were guilty of genocide linked to the July–August 2024 crackdown on student protesters.
In a strongly worded statement issued from hiding, the 78-year-old former leader rejected the verdict as “rigged,” claiming the tribunal was “presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate.”
India, in its first official reaction, took a measured position.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it had “noted the verdict,” reiterating India’s commitment to “the best interests of the people of Bangladesh” and assuring constructive engagement with all stakeholders.
But with Dhaka’s formal request on the table, the geopolitical question now looms large:
Will India comply with Bangladesh’s extradition demand—or decline it?
If New Delhi refuses, Dhaka could push for diplomatic pressure, international intervention, or raise the matter at global forums.
However, any aggressive posture could strain bilateral ties already balancing on sensitive political and strategic considerations.
For now, the region waits to see whether India will prioritize treaty obligations, humanitarian considerations, political stability in Bangladesh, or its own strategic imperatives.
The next steps from Delhi and Dhaka may well define the future of South Asian diplomacy.
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