India has reiterated that Sheikh Hasina’s extradition will be handled through legal channels, while declining to comment on a BBC Bangla report suggesting that New Delhi has established two conditions for her return to Bangladesh.
According to a report published on Thursday, Indian officials have indicated that Bangladesh must arrange for the return of the former prime minister through its military.
As Hasina arrived in India aboard a Bangladesh military aircraft on August 5, 2024, the Bangladesh Army would have to take her back, either by sending an aircraft to Delhi or receiving her at a designated point along the land border. India is prepared to make the necessary logistical arrangements, the report said.
The second condition requires Bangladesh to guarantee Hasina the opportunity to appeal against her death sentence while ensuring a fresh trial regarding the killings that occurred during the July uprising.
Hasina fled to India amid the youth-led mass uprising and has been living there since. She was sentenced to death in November 2025 for crimes against humanity committed during the uprising.
Bangladesh has formally sought her extradition on two occasions, initially through a diplomatic note verbale in December 2024 and subsequently following the issuance of a death sentence in November 2025.
A foreign ministry official stated that the foreign minister also raised the issue during a bilateral meeting last April, adding that India had not responded to Bangladesh's extradition requests.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official stated that Dhaka had received no communication from India regarding the reported conditions.
“We are not aware whether the Indian side made any such request at the political level. Diplomats were also not involved in discussions when she left Bangladesh in 2024,” the official added.
Speaking at a biweekly media briefing in New Delhi yesterday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, was asked about Hasina’s extradition and the two reported conditions.
“What I refer to as a legal matter is the extradition part. And the extradition will be dealt with accordingly. On the other part of your question, I have no comments to offer,” he stated.
Diplomatic sources in New Delhi stated that the continued presence of Hasina in India had become an obstacle to the Indian government's "neighbourhood first" policy. Furthermore, the delay in improving bilateral ties has drawn domestic criticism.
A diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity stated that nearly a year into his tenure, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had not yet visited India and was instead moving closer to Türkiye, China and Pakistan, causing discomfort in New Delhi.
The diplomat stated that a visit would depend on the creation of a conducive environment and the fulfilment of certain preconditions.
“Hasina is not the Dalai Lama. She sought shelter in India when she was in distress, and India provided it. But India cannot afford to keep her indefinitely. She has been advised to use back channels to negotiate and secure the best possible deal for her return,” the diplomat said.
Addressing the postponement of the Bangladesh-India consular dialogue, Jaiswal stated that India wants to maintain a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh.
He cited meetings under existing bilateral mechanisms covering trade, railways, water resources, and border management.
The next round of the Bangladesh-India consular dialogue, which will also discuss revised travel arrangements, will take place on a mutually convenient date, he said.
“India remains ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through these existing mechanisms, including at the technical level,” Jaiswal added.
Why it matters
The official stance from New Delhi clarifies the diplomatic framework governing the high-profile extradition requests submitted by Dhaka.