Bangladesh wants India to speed up the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, arguing that completing the legal procedure would also require political intent from New Delhi.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the remarks in Dhaka on Sunday, a day after Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said there was no fixed timeline for Hasina’s return because Bangladesh’s request was being examined through an ongoing legal process involving the courts.
Shama said Bangladesh expected the Indian government to take steps to move the process forward more quickly. She also maintained that Hasina could be extradited under the existing extradition framework between the two countries.
“Certainly,” Shama said when asked whether the treaty could be used for Hasina’s return, adding that the process was already being pursued
Her comments followed Trivedi’s remarks at the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka on Saturday. The Indian envoy said the extradition matter involved a structured legal process and that the courts were involved, making it impossible to provide a timeframe for Hasina’s return.
Hasina, 79, has been in India since August 2024, when she left Bangladesh following the collapse of her government amid mass protests.
Bangladesh subsequently sought her extradition. India has said the request is being examined according to established procedures, while the absence of a stated timeline has remained an issue between the two countries.
The latest exchange highlights the differing emphasis from the two sides.
Bangladesh is calling for faster action and stressing political will, while India has pointed to the legal process and the involvement of the courts.
