Dhaka’s extradition request puts Bangladesh-India ties to test

This comes after a Bangladesh court sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity on Nov 17.

Hasina, now in exile in India, had been a key figure in advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries over the past 15 years, particularly on border security and counter-militancy efforts.

Political scientist Dr Mubashar Hasan, an adjunct researcher at Western Sydney University’s Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI), said Hasina’s policies were often aligned with India’s security priorities, shaping perceptions within Bangladesh that the relationship favoured New Delhi.

“However, many in Bangladesh thought the relationship was not balanced. Sheikh Hasina was perceived as being too favourable towards India,” he said.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, has formally requested her extradition, arguing that allowing her to remain in India would undermine judicial proceedings, citing the extradition treaty signed in 2013.

Mubashar said her departure is likely to cool the current state of bilateral ties, although the core areas of cooperation are expected to remain intact.

Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, and both countries work closely on border management, energy connectivity, and counter-terrorism.

He added that India’s decision on the extradition request will hinge on political and institutional considerations within New Delhi.

“There is a strong lobby within India’s security establishment that supports Sheikh Hasina, but there are also voices calling for a more pragmatic approach. It ultimately depends on how Prime Minister Narendra Modi views the issue,” he said.

Despite the political transition in Dhaka, Mubashar said long-standing interdependence between the two neighbours makes a significant breakdown in relations unlikely.