India Extends Visa for Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Amid Dhaka’s Extradition Request
India has extended the visa of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in the country since August 2024 after stepping down amid nationwide protests. This development comes despite the interim Bangladeshi government’s formal request for her extradition.
Background
Sheikh Hasina, 77, fled to India on August 5, 2024, following widespread student-led protests against her regime. Upon arrival, she was moved to a safe house in Delhi and has remained incommunicado since. On December 23, 2024, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, submitted a note verbale to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, formally requesting her extradition.
Visa Extension
Despite the extradition request, India’s Union Home Ministry has approved an extension of Hasina’s visa, facilitating her continued stay in the country. The extension was processed through the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Officials have dismissed speculation about granting her asylum, noting that India lacks specific laws addressing refugee status and asylum procedures.
Bangladesh’s Position
In Dhaka, the Department of Immigration and Passports announced the cancellation of passports for 97 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, citing their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killings during the July protests. Additionally, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal issued a second arrest warrant for Hasina on January 6, 2025, directing law enforcement to apprehend her and 11 others on charges related to crimes against humanity.
India’s Stance on Extradition
Indian authorities have indicated that they are unlikely to act on Bangladesh’s extradition request, citing incomplete formalities necessary for such proceedings. The situation remains delicate, with India’s decision to extend Hasina’s visa potentially adding strain to bilateral relations between the two nations.
