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India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement following the death sentence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity during the July uprising.
The statement was shared on the ministry’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account by spokesperson Randeep Joyswal.
The statement read, “India is aware of the verdict delivered by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As a close neighbor, India remains committed to the peace, democracy, inclusivity, and stability of the Bangladeshi people and will continue to engage constructively with all parties to this end.”
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has requested the return of fugitive Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan under the existing extradition agreement. However, India’s statement made no mention of this request.
A press release by Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry noted that providing refuge to the convicted former leaders in another country would be considered extremely unfriendly and a disregard for justice.
British media outlet BBC published an analysis on the extradition issue titled “Why This Verdict Puts India in a Tricky Situation” by Global Affairs reporter Anwarasan Ethirajan. The report noted that Hasina’s conviction places India in a complex diplomatic position.
Ethirajan wrote that Dhaka had previously requested her extradition, but India had not formally responded. While an extradition agreement exists between the two countries, legal experts say India has the full right to refuse if the charges are deemed politically motivated.
During her tenure, Hasina had cultivated close diplomatic ties with Delhi. Indian political circles reportedly show reluctance to return her to Bangladesh. Granting or denying extradition now presents a delicate diplomatic balancing act: refusal could strain relations with Dhaka, while approval could upset a long-standing ally.
