Sheikh Hasina–former Prime Minister of Bangladesh–was sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) for crimes against humanity over her handling of a deadly student uprising in 2024. For more information, visit NDTV and Al Jazeera as well as Wikipedia for further details.
As soon as the allegations were publicized, Bangladeshi government formally requested India extradite both Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal who is currently believed to be present there.
India Today reports that Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement demanding India hand over two individuals found guilty to Bangladeshi authorities immediately.
Business Recorder The statement also defined extradition as a mandatory obligation under a bilateral extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India, and warned against providing asylum or shelter to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity within Indian borders as it would constitute “an act that affronts justice”. www.ndtv.com
India has taken a cautious stance. Their Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged receipt of Dhaka’s formal diplomatic note but made no firm promises regarding extradition. Their statement indicated their continued dedication to peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability throughout Bangladesh without directly addressing extradition demands from Dhaka. Business Recorder reported on their response.
Legal and diplomatic stakes are high for Bangladesh. Their demand rests on international treaty principles as well as ICT findings of systematic violence leading to deaths when protesters clashed with state security forces during protests in 2024.
Timing of this decision is critical: India has historically enjoyed close ties with Hasina’s government and extraditing her could have serious domestic and bilateral political repercussions for both nations.
Observers highlight a number of complicating factors:
Hasina did not return to Bangladesh to stand trial. Some human rights experts have raised concerns regarding fair trial standards.
India must carefully weigh both its legal obligations under the treaty as well as domestic and foreign-policy interests when considering whether to join. Given its strategic relationship with Bangladesh, this will take particular consideration.
Geopolitical Context: Bangladesh is currently operating under an interim government and seeking to rebalance its external alliances, while India tries to find balance in regional influence and bilateral cooperation. Bangladesh has made clear its displeasure at any failure to extradite as an immediate repercussion of failure of extradition efforts; accordingly India Today reports this strained relationships will follow a failure.
From Bangladesh’s perspective, the message is clear: justice must be seen to be served and impunity for those taking refuge will not be accepted. According to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ words on the matter: the verdict shows “nobody, regardless of power or position is above the law”. The Economic Times reported on it.
India finds herself walking a delicate diplomatic line: trying to balance treaty commitments against more pressing strategic and political considerations.
Bangladesh’s extradition demand shines a spotlight on the intersection between international justice, bilateral diplomacy, and domestic accountability. Over the coming days we will see whether legal frameworks prevail — or whether geopolitics determines its outcome.