Sheikh Hasina extradition request being examined, says MEA
Synopsis
India has confirmed it is processing Bangladesh's extradition request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through established legal channels — neither fast-tracking nor refusing. With Indian High Commissioner Trivedi's first meeting with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman described as 'fruitful,' New Delhi is threading a careful diplomatic needle: keeping the door open while making no commitments on one of the most politically charged bilateral demands in recent South Asian diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed on 11 August that India is examining Bangladesh's extradition request for Sheikh Hasina 'as per established processes.' Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman on Monday — his first such meeting — which both sides described positively.
Bangladesh has urged India to expedite Hasina's extradition and also return suspects in the Sharif Osman Hadi murder case.
Two Bangladeshi nationals — Faisal Karim Masud (37) and Alamgir Hossain (34) — were arrested by Kolkata Police as suspects in the Hadi killing.
Hadi was shot on Paltan Road, Dhaka on 12 December and died in Singapore on 18 December after being airlifted for treatment.
India on Tuesday, 11 August confirmed that it is examining Bangladesh's formal request for the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in accordance with established legal procedures, with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterating that New Delhi's position on the matter remains unchanged.
What MEA Said
Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal stated: 'Our position has been very clear on this particular matter: that we are looking into the case as per established processes that we have on our side.' He also confirmed that a separate legal matter — the investigation into suspects linked to the killing of Bangladeshi radical Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi — is currently ongoing.
High Commissioner's Meeting with Bangladesh PM
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday in what Trivedi described as a 'fruitful' first meeting, saying the two countries not only share a border but also 'share dreams.' The Indian High Commission posted on X that Trivedi conveyed India's intent to work with the Bangladeshi government and people in a 'positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.'
According to a press release issued by the Bangladesh PM's Press Wing in Dhaka, Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will 'expedite the process of extraditing Sheikh Hasina.' Dhaka has simultaneously urged New Delhi to return the accused individuals involved in the murder of Hadi, according to Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo.
The Hadi Murder Case: Background
On 12 December last year, Hadi was shot in the head when assailants fired from a moving motorcycle at the rickshaw he was riding on Paltan Road in Dhaka. He was subsequently airlifted to Singapore for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries on 18 December.
Earlier this year, the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata confirmed that Kolkata Police had arrested two Bangladeshi nationals — Faisal Karim Masud (37) and Alamgir Hossain (34) — identified as suspects in the case. The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata subsequently contacted Indian authorities to request consular access for the two detainees.
State of India-Bangladesh Relations
The meeting between Trivedi and Rahman signals a diplomatic effort to steady bilateral ties at a sensitive moment. The two sides discussed 'avenues for further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh with a people-centric approach,' the Indian High Commission said. This comes amid broader questions about the trajectory of the relationship following Sheikh Hasina's departure from power in Bangladesh in 2024.
How New Delhi handles the extradition request — a legally complex and politically sensitive process — will likely set the tone for India-Bangladesh engagement in the months ahead.
Point of View
And Dhaka wants them back. How India sequences these two demands — or stalls on both — will reveal how much leverage it believes it retains over the post-Hasina political order in Bangladesh.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India's position on the Sheikh Hasina extradition request?
India has said it is examining Bangladesh's extradition request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in accordance with its established legal procedures. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on 11 August that New Delhi's position on the matter remains unchanged, without committing to a timeline.
Who is Sharif Osman Hadi and why does his case matter for India-Bangladesh ties?
Sharif Osman Hadi was a Bangladeshi radical Islamist leader who was shot on Paltan Road in Dhaka on 12 December and died in Singapore on 18 December after being airlifted for treatment. Two Bangladeshi nationals arrested by Kolkata Police — Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain — are identified as suspects, and Bangladesh has urged India to return them, making the case a second flashpoint in bilateral relations alongside the Hasina extradition.
What did Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi discuss with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman?
Trivedi met Rahman on Monday in what he described as a 'fruitful' first meeting, covering Hasina's extradition, the Hadi murder suspects, and broader bilateral relations. The Indian High Commission said Trivedi conveyed India's intent to engage in a 'positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.'
Has Bangladesh formally requested Hasina's extradition from India?
Yes. Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Following the Trivedi-Rahman meeting, Bangladesh's PM Press Wing stated that Dhaka 'hopes that India will expedite the process of extraditing Sheikh Hasina.'
What is the current status of the Hadi murder suspects in India?
Two suspects — Faisal Karim Masud (37) and Alamgir Hossain (34) — are in custody of Kolkata Police. The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has requested consular access and urged the Indian government to return the accused. Indian authorities have said investigations are ongoing.
