Bangladesh has formally requested that India extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following her removal during widespread student-led protests. This request presents a diplomatic dilemma for New Delhi, according to analysts.
Since Hasina’s departure, she had been a close ally of New Delhi during her 15-year leadership of Bangladesh. India has since sought to strengthen relationships with the new government, which has now asked for her return to “face judicial proceedings.”
The Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Monday that it has received a diplomatic note regarding her extradition, stating, “we have no comment to offer on this matter.”
Political experts indicate that the already tense relationship with Dhaka is likely to become even more strained as a result of the extradition request.
“This situation puts Delhi in a difficult position and will jeopardize relations with the interim government because India cannot likely comply with this request,” commented Manoj Joshi, a distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.
The request for the extradition of Hasina was made two months after the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka issued arrest warrants for the former prime minister of the country. She has been called to account for alleged “crimes against humanity” committed during protests that resulted in numerous fatalities.
Nevertheless, experts believe that India is unlikely to comply with the extradition request. While both nations share an extradition treaty, it permits requests to be denied if the crime is deemed to be of a “political nature.”
“I cannot foresee any circumstances in which New Delhi would grant this request,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington. “Hasina has arguably remained India’s closest ally in the region for quite some time. New Delhi is unlikely to turn against her now and will probably invoke one of the treaty’s provisions to explain its decision not to extradite her back to Dhaka.”
India’s robust support for Hasina throughout her 15-year tenure has been viewed by many in Bangladesh as a factor contributing to the decline of democracy in the nation, intensifying public resentment towards India, analysts in Dhaka report. Hasina is often regarded as an authoritarian leader who has restricted dissent.
“There is considerable sentiment in Bangladesh advocating for Hasina to be brought to justice. If India fails to repatriate her, which seems unlikely, it will only heighten anti-India feelings within the country,” stated Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan, a researcher at the Bangladesh Peace Observatory in Dhaka.
Hasina’s ongoing presence in India complicates efforts for Delhi to foster amicable relations with the newly established interim government in Dhaka. For India, maintaining a strong relationship with Bangladesh is crucial to ensure stability along its 4,096-kilometer border, especially in a region where it also confronts adversarial neighbors Pakistan and China. Additionally, this relationship is vital for the security of India’s northeastern states.