Sheikh Hasina's Return To Bangladesh? India Reportedly Sets 2 Conditions For Dhaka

India has reportedly signaled its willingness to assist former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in returning to Dhaka, potentially in December, contingent upon the fulfillment of two key conditions, as per a BBC Bangla report. These conditions involve the Bangladesh Army's responsibility for Hasina's return and guarantees of a new and fair legal process for her.

The report, citing unnamed sources from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and military, surfaced amid renewed talks about Hasina's prospective return to Bangladesh, where she currently faces a death sentence in absentia for her actions during the July 2024 protests. India's Role in Facilitating Hasina's Return According to BBC Bangla, the first condition stipulates that the Bangladesh Army must facilitate Hasina's return from India.

Hasina arrived in New Delhi on August 5, 2024, on a Bangladesh military aircraft after fleeing the country amid the massive uprising that ended her government. The report suggests that Bangladesh could either send a military aircraft to New Delhi to bring her back or designate military personnel to receive her at a specific point along the land border.

India has reportedly agreed to make the required logistical preparations for this arrangement. Legal Requirements for Hasina's Return The second reported condition pertains to the legal proceedings against Hasina in Bangladesh. According to the BBC Bangla report, India wants Bangladesh to ensure she can appeal against her death sentence and guarantees a fresh trial concerning allegations related to the killings during the July 2024 uprising.

An unnamed Indian official quoted in the report stated that New Delhi would not willingly hand Hasina over for execution and desired her to have the opportunity to receive a fair and fresh trial. India has also reportedly expressed a preference for the proceedings to be under the watchful eyes of the international community and global media.

Hasina's Death Sentence Permanently Imposed In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for her alleged involvement in the crackdown on protesters during the July 2024 uprising. She has consistently denied the accusations against her. MEA Refuses to Confirm Reported Conditions India has not officially confirmed the reported conditions, with an MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, declining to comment specifically on the BBC Bangla report.

Jaiswal reiterated India's stance that extradition is a legal matter that will be addressed accordingly. New Delhi has also emphasized its desire for a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh. The response was made amid ongoing questions surrounding Hasina's extradition and the state of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Hasina's Legal Team Requests Passport and ID Card for Planned Return The reported conditions follow Hasina's lawyers' recent request to the Bangladesh Embassy in New Delhi for a new passport and national identity card for her. This move was seen as a step towards enabling her proposed return in December. According to Reuters, Hasina's request was her first known direct communication with the Bangladesh mission since her arrival in India in August 2024.

Hasina has stated her intention to return to Bangladesh and surrender before a court. However, the Bangladeshi government rejected her request and reiterated its demand for India's extradition of the former prime minister under the bilateral treaty. Challenges Ahead for Hasina's Return The reported conditions add complexity to Hasina's return to Bangladesh.

The issue remains a sensitive diplomatic matter between New Delhi and Dhaka, with Bangladesh persistently seeking her extradition, and India maintaining that the matter will be handled through legal processes. BBC Bangla also reported that conversations have been taking place behind the scenes between officials in New Delhi and Dhaka to explore potential arrangements for Hasina's possible return.

However, these reported conditions have not been officially confirmed by India, and Bangladesh has not agreed to them. The ultimate course of action will depend on further diplomatic discussions between the two governments and the outcome of the legal proceedings in Bangladesh.