India on 11 August 2026 reaffirmed that Dhaka’s request for the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being examined as per established procedures. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that its position on the matter remains unchanged.

During a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that the extradition case was being processed in line with India’s established legal frameworks. He also noted that investigations into the murder of Bangladeshi activist Sharif Osman Hadi are currently underway.

Jaiswal stated that India’s High Commissioner had met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman the previous day, where matters of mutual interest were discussed. He emphasised that the extradition request was being handled according to due process, while the Hadi case remained under investigation.

The official response followed high-level talks in Dhaka between Prime Minister Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi. Local media reported that the discussions included Hasina’s extradition and the return of suspects in Hadi’s murder.

A press release from Rahman’s office expressed Bangladesh’s hope that India would expedite the process of extraditing Sheikh Hasina. At the same time, Bangladesh urged India to hand over those accused in the Hadi case, according to reports in Prothom Alo.

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the head on 12 December 2025 while travelling in a rickshaw on Paltan Road in Dhaka. The assailants fired from a moving motorcycle. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on 18 December.

Earlier this year, the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata confirmed that two Bangladeshi citizens, Faisal Karim Masud aged 37 and Alamgir Hossain aged 34, had been arrested. Indian media identified them as suspects in the Hadi murder case. Following this, the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata contacted Indian authorities and requested consular access.

Indian High Commissioner Trivedi described his meeting with Prime Minister Rahman as fruitful. He remarked that India and Bangladesh not only share a physical border but also “share dreams,” highlighting the depth of bilateral ties.

The Indian High Commission later posted on X that the envoy had conveyed India’s intent to work with Bangladesh in a positive, constructive, and forward-looking manner. The statement added that both sides exchanged views on mutual interests and discussed ways to strengthen relations with a people-centric approach.

India’s careful handling of the extradition request and the Hadi murder investigation underscores the complexity of balancing judicial obligations with diplomatic sensitivities. The developments mark another critical juncture in India-Bangladesh relations, with both governments seeking to navigate legal processes while maintaining cooperative ties.

ANI