Why India is unlikely to extradite ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina

After a massive nationwide protest led by students ousted Hasina on August 5, ending her 15-year rule, she fled to India where she is reportedly staying in housing provided by the Indian government.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has declined to clarify its next steps in response to the extradition request, which was sent by Bangladesh last week.

“At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on December 24.

Some Indian foreign policy experts suggest New Delhi may not hand Hasina back without stringent proof of wrongdoing.

“Bangladesh needs to present solid evidence that Hasina is guilty of the crimes they are accusing her of, as extradition is essentially a judicial process,” Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, told This Week in Asia.