Home
+
Published : 08 Apr 2026, 09:27 PM
Bangladesh has renewed its request for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina during high-level talks in New Delhi.
The issue was raised during Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s official visit to India, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Hasina has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity linked to the July Uprising.
During the visit, Khalilur also held meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The foreign ministry statement said, "The Bangladesh side reiterated its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to Bangladesh, who have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal."
On Nov 17, the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced the ousted prime minister and Kamal to death, convicting them of "ordering and instigating" crimes against humanity during the July Uprising.
Four days after the verdict, on Nov 21, Bangladesh sent a formal letter to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs -- the second such request -- seeking Hasina's return under the existing bilateral extradition treaty.
Both Hasina and Kamal have been in India since Aug 5, 2024, following their ousting from power.
The interim government first wrote to India in December 2024 seeking her return after the commencement of judicial proceedings.
Although the trial has since concluded with a formal sentence, the Indian government had not previously responded to that correspondence.
Addressing questions from journalists in Delhi over the receipt of the latest letter, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said: "Yes, we have received the request and it is currently under review."
This latest demand from Bangladesh’s newly elected government comes amidst a period of silence from Delhi concerning previous requests to hand over the former leader.
Khalilur visits Delhi following the formation of a new government in Dhaka, ending one-and-a-half years of strained relations under the interim administration.
Accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Humaiun Kobir, this marks the first high-level visit to India since the new government took office.
Consensus on Repatriating Hadi’s Alleged Killers
In addition to the extradition of Hasina and Kamal, the foreign ministry said that discussions were held over the return of suspects in the murder of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
The official statement read, “The foreign minister thanked the Indian government for apprehending the suspected killers of Osman Hadi.
“Both sides agreed that the arrested individuals will be returned to Bangladesh in accordance with the procedures laid out in the extradition treaty.”
The discussions also addressed the easing of Indian visa processes for Bangladeshi nationals.
According to the ministry, "During the discussions, Minister Jaishankar said Indian visas to Bangladeshis, particularly medical and business visas, would be eased in the coming weeks.”
Khalilur also requested an increase in the supply of diesel and fertilisers from India.
The statement noted, “The minister expressed thanks to Hardeep Puri for the recent supply of diesel to Bangladesh by India and requested to increase the volume of supply of diesel and fertiliser.
“Minister Puri indicated that the government of India will consider the request readily and favourably.”
