• Bangladesh has formally requested India's extradition of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia.
• The extradition request emphasizes India's "obligatory responsibility" under a bilateral treaty.
• Hasina has been in hiding in India following a violent crackdown on protests in 2024.

Bangladesh has renewed its request to India for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after she was sentenced to death by the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity. Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain confirmed this diplomatic communication, stating that a letter was sent to New Delhi on Friday, requesting Hasina’s return, along with that of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who also faces a death sentence. This follows Hasina's flight to India during a mass uprising in August 2024, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths according to the UN, according to AA and Al Jazeera.

The Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh asserted that under a mutual extradition treaty signed in 2013, India has an "obligatory responsibility" to return Hasina. The ministry described granting asylum to convicted individuals as a “grave act of unfriendly behavior” and a “travesty of justice.” India's response has acknowledged the verdict but has not clarified its position on extradition. Reports indicate that Bangladesh has made several requests previously, highlighting the increasingly strained relations since Hasina's ousting, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

As the interim government in Bangladesh prepares for elections in February 2026, tensions between the two nations may influence political dynamics. These extradition requests come amidst a backdrop of diplomatic engagements, including a recent visit from Bangladesh's National Security Adviser to India, which indicates a potential thaw in relations as both countries navigate a complex historical context, according to AA and India Times.