Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have entered a period of heightened tension following the dramatic ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year, when she fled to New Delhi amid violent, student-led protests. Dhaka insists that Hasina has been living in India ever since, and her continued presence there has become the centre of a diplomatic standoff that has steadily escalated over the past several months.
Against this backdrop, Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman met Indian NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 7th NSA-level session of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), included an official invitation for Doval to visit Dhaka. Despite the diplomatic courtesy, the bilateral atmosphere remains tense, especially as Bangladesh continues to press India for Hasina’s extradition.
Relations took a serious turn when Bangladesh first requested her return in December 2024, only weeks after India’s foreign secretary had visited Dhaka. This week, the issue escalated dramatically after Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina and former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for their alleged role in the July 2024 crackdown on the student movement. The ruling intensified Dhaka’s demands and placed India under significant political pressure.
Bangladesh has now sent yet another diplomatic note to New Delhi, calling for the “immediate return” of both leaders. It warned that any nation sheltering Hasina would be committing an “extremely unfriendly act” and undermining justice. Dhaka has cited the bilateral extradition treaty and insisted that the tribunal’s verdict establishes that Hasina is “guilty of crimes against humanity.” Its messaging suggests growing frustration with India’s silence and delays.
India, for its part, issued a measured response. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that it had “formally taken note” of the tribunal’s judgment and that India remains committed to the “best interests of the people of Bangladesh,” including peace, stability, inclusion, and democracy. India also signalled that it intends to “engage constructively with all stakeholders,” stopping short of any commitment regarding extradition.
Crucially, the 2013 India-Bangladesh extradition treaty includes a safeguard that allows India to deny extradition requests if they are deemed politically motivated or lacking in good faith. Article 6 of the treaty outlines these conditions clearly. This clause provides India with legal grounds to refuse Bangladesh’s demands, and Hasina herself has invoked this provision repeatedly, arguing that the charges against her are politically driven.
The meeting between the NSAs took place within the larger framework of the Colombo Security Conclave, a regional platform aimed at strengthening security cooperation among member states. The 7th NSA-level session is focusing on progress across five key areas: maritime security, counterterrorism and deradicalisation, transnational crime and trafficking, cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Discussions will also centre on finalising the CSC’s Roadmap and Action Plan for 2026. India has emphasised that the CSC’s purpose is to enhance regional coordination and address shared security challenges, particularly those that transcend borders. The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh now add another layer of complexity to a forum intended to foster stability and cooperation in the region.
