India and Bangladesh have created one of the strongest bilateral relationships in South Asia through many years of political and economic cooperation and security coordination. The request by Bangladesh to extradite its former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, puts India in a precarious diplomatic and legal situation. The Ministry of External Affairs has said via The Wire that they will be “examining” the request from Dhaka, highlighting India’s diplomatic and legal approach.
As tensions continue to rise in Bangladesh, with increased media and international attention surrounding this case, the way in which India approaches this situation could have a significant impact on the stability of its diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh.
As part of this approach, MEA recently issued a carefully crafted statement indicating that they need to proceed with caution in dealing with the request and to follow established legal procedures while maintaining a good diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh. The phrase “examining the request” also shows that they need to use diplomatic phrases when dealing with sensitive matters involving another country.
The Legal Framework: Extradition Is Never Straightforward
Extradition between two countries operates under a framework of law, rather than political consideration. Even if a treaty exists, a request must meet the legal criteria set forth by India, including:
- Evaluation of evidence and the nature of charges
- Ensuring the accused has not been politically persecuted and that their human rights are protected.
- Judicial Review by Indian Courts
Verification of the request that it is not politically motivated, especially in the case of political never-ending crises.
In the case of Sheikh Hasina, who was found guilty in absentia and left Bangladesh before her sentence, this would add a higher degree of scrutiny and verification of legal justification and process. India’s hands would be tied by the rule of law, and therefore would not operate solely on a relationship of diplomatic goodwill. The statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) formalises the level of commitment to the legal process.
The Diplomatic Angle: A Fine Line
India shares an extensive relationship with Bangladesh on many levels, from connectivity initiatives, trade, cultural exchange, to mutual security cooperation. Given this type of relationship, no one issue, regardless of how significant, should be taken lightly.
Dhaka’s extradition request bears substantial political weight. As a primary actor in the relationship between India and Bangladesh, the government of India must take into account the ramifications of its actions regarding the potential consequences of public opinion and the political climate in both countries.
The MEA has utilised language that is neutral, thereby not inflaming any of the existing political controversies within Bangladesh or appearing to side with one party or the other. This allows India to maintain a diplomatic position and keep all legal options on the table.
Regional Implications: Why India’s Stance Matters
More than a bilateral legal issue, the situation has regional implications, as both countries are regional actors influencing trade, border security, and geopolitically. A miscalculation could:
- Have Political consequences for Bangladesh
- Cause Diplomatic issues during Sensitive negotiations in the region
- Impact Existing Security Partnerships
- Affect India’s Strategic Positioning
India’s cautious approach seeks to avoid any of these potential negative impacts by allowing the processes to evolve without overreacting.
Conclusion
India’s response regarding Bangladesh’s Extradition of Sheikh Hasina aligns its legal and diplomatic priorities by not making any premature judgments – allowing the legal processes to take their course while also maintaining a high level of respect and stability in bilateral relations. As the situation continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how India balances a commitment to Legal Standards and Diplomatic Neutrality while at the same time not jeopardising the long-standing relationships between these two countries.
Read Also: Top Gaming Deals in This Black Friday 2025 — PS5, Xbox & Gaming PCs (Bangladesh)
