The return of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to power in Bangladesh has brought back into focus Dhaka’s demand for the extradition of ousted former prime minister
Sheikh Hasina from India, setting up a complex diplomatic test for New Delhi.
Soon after the BNP’s landslide victory in the country’s first general elections since the 2024 uprising, senior party leader Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated that the new government would pursue Hasina’s return to face trial.
“The foreign minister has already persuaded the case for her extradition, and we also support it,” he said, adding, “We always press for her extradition according to the law. This is between the foreign ministries of the two countries. We also asked the government of India to please send her back to face trial in Bangladesh.”
Hasina, who has been in New Delhi since August 2024 following her ouster, was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in November 2025 for crimes against humanity linked to the violent suppression of the 2024 uprising. She is also facing multiple other sentences and cases on different charges pressed by the interim regime of Bangladesh.
BNP signals reset — but on ‘equal terms’
The BNP’s election manifesto, unveiled by party chief Tarique Rahman, earlier has laid out a tougher foreign policy stance framed under a “Bangladesh Before All” doctrine and the slogan “Friend Yes, Master No.”
While India was not named explicitly in the bullet points, the manifesto emphasised stricter positions on “border killing, push-in, and smuggling” and securing Bangladesh’s “fair share” of waters from common rivers “like Teesta and Padma.”
Ahmed said Dhaka sought normal relations with all neighbours, including India, but “on equal terms.” “We need a friendly relationship based on mutual respect, equality with all the countries, including India,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman, soon after his party’s victory in the polls and said India would continue to support a “democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.” The two leaders also spoke over phone, with India expressing commitment to peace and prosperity for both countries.
What Tarique Rahman has said on India
Despite past tensions, Tarique Rahman has struck a more pragmatic note in recent remarks. In an interview with The Guardian, he acknowledged that ties with India worsened after Hasina’s ouster but underscored his preference for “a relationship of mutual respect and mutual understanding.”
Asked whether full normalisation of ties was feasible as long as India continues to host Sheikh Hasina – whose extradition the BNP has formally sought – Rahman replied cautiously: “That depends. It has to be on them too.”
Dhaka requests, Delhi ‘examines’
Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain and interim regime has consistently called for Hasina’s extradition “at the earliest possible time” following her conviction.
Earlier last year in a statement he said, “I think our (bilateral) relations won’t (be) stuck on one issue alone. However, since Hasina is now a declared convict, we expect her repatriation at the earliest possible time,” he told reporters in Dhaka.
Dhaka previously has also sent a note verbale and later an “official letter” seeking her extradition. India’s ministry of external affairs responded by saying the request is being “examined.”
External affairs minister S Jaishankar said in December last year that Hasina’s stay in India was her personal decision influenced by developments in Bangladesh last year.
“As a democratic country... We would like to see the will of the people ascertained. I’m quite confident that whatever comes out... would have a balanced and mature view about the relationship and, hopefully things would improve,” minister said.
What Hasina says on convictions
Sheikh Hasina has consistently rejected the cases against her and has termed subsequent court judgements as politically motivated.
The ousted leader has said she is willing to face her accusers in a neutral and fair tribunal. She earlier also called on Bangladesh's interim regieme to bring cases against her in international court of justice.
Hasina has alleged that she has not been accorded a fair trial saying, "I was given no fair chance to defend myself, nor even to have lawyers of my own choice to represent me in absentia"
Security, minorities and water back in focus
The BNP’s past terms in office (1991–96 and 2001–06) saw periodic friction with India, particularly over cross-border insurgent activity. Border management remains politically sensitive in Indian states such as West Bengal and Assam.
The party’s manifesto promises a “strict position” to end alleged “border killings” by India’s Border Security Force and halt what it describes as “push-ins.”
It also calls for effective measures to secure Bangladesh’s share of waters from transboundary rivers such as the Teesta and the Padma, and to strengthen the Joint River Commission.
Minority safety is another sensitive issue. Following the 2024 political upheaval, India expressed concern over reported incidents targeting minorities in Bangladesh.
What are India’s options?
India faces a diplomatic balancing act. Acceding to the extradition request would require navigating legal processes under existing bilateral arrangements and domestic law.
At the same time, rejecting or delaying a decision risks friction with a newly elected government that has made the issue a public political commitment.
New Delhi has so far maintained that the request is under examination, while signalling readiness to engage the new leadership in Dhaka.
With the BNP’s decisive mandate and Hasina’s continued presence in India, the extradition question is likely to remain an early test of how both sides recalibrate ties after a significant political shift in Bangladesh.