Sheikh Hasina Extradition: India Says No Specific Timeline, Request Under Legal Review

India has said there is no specific timeline for a decision on Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with the matter continuing to undergo legal scrutiny.

Speaking at the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said New Delhi was examining the formal request through the established legal and diplomatic framework.

The comments come amid political discussion in Bangladesh over Hasina’s possible return after the government led by Tarique Rahman sought her extradition to face charges in the country.

Hasina’s Arrival in India

Indian officials have maintained that Hasina’s arrival in India in August 2024 took place against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating situation in Bangladesh.

New Delhi has said the decision to allow the former prime minister to enter India was made in view of the humanitarian and security circumstances at the time.

Indian representatives have also stressed that the country’s broader relationship with Bangladesh remains important regardless of political changes in Dhaka or Bangladesh’s engagement with other countries.

Extradition Request Under Legal Review

The extradition process between India and Bangladesh is governed by a bilateral treaty signed in 2013 and amended in 2016.

The treaty provides a legal framework for extradition while also setting out circumstances in which a request may be refused, including provisions relating to political offences and other specified grounds.

With Bangladesh’s request now being examined, Indian authorities have indicated that any action will have to follow the applicable legal procedures. The matter therefore remains subject to the relevant legal assessment rather than being decided solely through a political or executive directive.

India-Bangladesh Ties Continue

The extradition issue comes as India and Bangladesh continue engagement on several areas of bilateral cooperation.

The two countries maintain discussions involving trade, energy connectivity and cross-border infrastructure, alongside broader concerns relating to border management and regional security.

New Delhi has continued to emphasise the importance of maintaining stable bilateral relations, even as the extradition request involving Hasina remains under consideration.

For now, India has not indicated when a final decision will be taken, saying the request must proceed through the applicable legal process.