NEW DELHI: Bangladesh’s foreign affairs advisor, Touhid Hossain, on Saturday that if the home ministry or law ministry makes a request for Sheikh Hasina‘s extradition in the future, India will be obligated to comply with their demand.
Hossain said that while he is not the appropriate person to address this matter, if such a request is made, it could create an uncomfortable situation for the Indian government.
“Her (Sheikh Hasina) is staying in Delhi, in India…I am not the right person to answer this. If there is a request from there (Ministry of Home and Ministry of Law) we have to ask for her return to Bangladesh,” Touhid said.
If there is a demand from there, and that creates an embarrassing situation for the Indian government, so I think the Indian government knows this and I am sure they will take care of it,” he added.
Currently, Sheikh Hasina is residing in India and has accused the United States of playing a role in her removal from power. Regarding Bangladesh’s foreign policy, Hossain explained that their approach is to maintain positive relationships with all countries while prioritizing their national interests.
“Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests. We seek friendship with all and enmity with none, aiming to establish balanced relations. Our primary task is to safeguard our interests,” Touhid said.
Hossain also clarified that it would be inaccurate to assume that the interim government is solely focused on any particular direction, as they aim to maintain smooth and positive relations with all countries, including India and China. He hinted at the possibility of general elections in the country, asserting that their primary objective is to ensure a fair and impartial election process, and speculation at this point is unnecessary.
According to The Daily Star newspaper, Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 following her forced resignation amid a student-led mass uprising, is eligible for visa-free entry and a stay of up to 45 days under Indian visa policy for Bangladeshi citizens holding diplomatic or official passports.
The extradition of Hasina, who faces 51 cases, including 42 for murder, is governed by the extradition treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013 and amended in 2016. The treaty states that “extradition may be refused if the offence for which it is requested is an offence of a political character.” However, it also specifies that certain offences, such as murder, “shall not be regarded as offences of a political character” for the purposes of the treaty. One ground for refusal of extradition is if the charges being pressed have not been “made in good faith, in the interest of justice,” according to the BSS report.
Hossain said that while he is not the appropriate person to address this matter, if such a request is made, it could create an uncomfortable situation for the Indian government.
“Her (Sheikh Hasina) is staying in Delhi, in India…I am not the right person to answer this. If there is a request from there (Ministry of Home and Ministry of Law) we have to ask for her return to Bangladesh,” Touhid said.
If there is a demand from there, and that creates an embarrassing situation for the Indian government, so I think the Indian government knows this and I am sure they will take care of it,” he added.
Currently, Sheikh Hasina is residing in India and has accused the United States of playing a role in her removal from power. Regarding Bangladesh’s foreign policy, Hossain explained that their approach is to maintain positive relationships with all countries while prioritizing their national interests.
“Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests. We seek friendship with all and enmity with none, aiming to establish balanced relations. Our primary task is to safeguard our interests,” Touhid said.
Hossain also clarified that it would be inaccurate to assume that the interim government is solely focused on any particular direction, as they aim to maintain smooth and positive relations with all countries, including India and China. He hinted at the possibility of general elections in the country, asserting that their primary objective is to ensure a fair and impartial election process, and speculation at this point is unnecessary.
According to The Daily Star newspaper, Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 following her forced resignation amid a student-led mass uprising, is eligible for visa-free entry and a stay of up to 45 days under Indian visa policy for Bangladeshi citizens holding diplomatic or official passports.
The extradition of Hasina, who faces 51 cases, including 42 for murder, is governed by the extradition treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013 and amended in 2016. The treaty states that “extradition may be refused if the offence for which it is requested is an offence of a political character.” However, it also specifies that certain offences, such as murder, “shall not be regarded as offences of a political character” for the purposes of the treaty. One ground for refusal of extradition is if the charges being pressed have not been “made in good faith, in the interest of justice,” according to the BSS report.
#interim #govt #minister #Sheikh #Hasinas #extradition #Times #India
