No deadline on Hasina extradition, says envoy

India is unable to provide a timeline for the return of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as her extradition request is being evaluated through a legal process, according to India's High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi. Trivedi emphasized that no timeline can be given regarding Hasina's return during a discussion organized by a private think tank in Dhaka.

Hasina, 79, has been residing in India since fleeing Bangladesh following the collapse of her government in August 2024 due to widespread anti-government protests. India's External Affairs Ministry has stated that Bangladesh's request for Hasina's extradition is being examined in accordance with established procedures, with the Indian government consistently asserting that the process is legal and well-structured.

Trivedi clarified that Hasina was not transported to India by the Indian Air Force or Army. Instead, she arrived on an Air Force aircraft on August 5, 2024, as protests known as the July Uprising led to the ousting of her government. Bangladesh's Army-led security contingent escorted her from her official residence when protesters threatened her residence.

Trivedi acknowledged that India's decision to accept Hasina was a duty as neighbors, given the unforeseen circumstances. He added that the situation was a result of tragic circumstances in Bangladesh and should not be repeated anywhere in the world.

The extradition issue has become a significant strain on India-Bangladesh relations, impacting Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's planned visit to New Delhi. Hasina has been tried in absentia by a special tribunal in Bangladesh and sentenced to death during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus from August 8, 2024, to February 2026.

The interim government also disbanded Hasina's Awami League party and sought her extradition through a diplomatic note. Upon Rahman's return to power after the February 12 elections, his government reaffirmed the ban on Hasina's party and reiterated the extradition demand.