India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the question of whether a person without a passport can be extradited as a technical and legal matter, saying it would be dealt with accordingly.
Asked at a media briefing in New Delhi whether a passport was essential for extradition, Jaiswal said that it is a legal matter that will be handled appropriately, adding that travel documents are obviously required for people to travel.
Asked about reports that Sheikh Hasina's lawyers had written to the Bangladesh High Commission seeking a passport and national identity card for her return to Bangladesh, Jaiswal referred inquiries to the mission, stating that they would be able to convey the situation.
On Bangladesh's request for Hasina's extradition, Jaiswal reiterated that the matter would be carried forward through established legal channels. Hasina has been living in New Delhi since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024 following the collapse of her Awami League government during the July Uprising, and was later sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal.
Regarding the future of the India-Bangladesh Ganges water-sharing treaty, which is set to expire on December 12, 2026, Jaiswal stated he had no new information to share. He previously noted that transboundary river issues are addressed through the Joint Rivers Commission.
Asked whether Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman might visit India in November or December, the spokesperson similarly responded that he had no updates to provide on potential high-level visits.
Why it matters
The statement clarifies India's official stance on handling bilateral legal requests regarding the former prime minister amidst ongoing diplomatic interactions.