India Breaks Silence on Sheikh Hasina's Return to Bangladesh

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International Desk: India has described the issue of extraditing former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a "legal matter," saying that it will be handled in accordance with the law.

Speaking at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday (July 14), ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Our position on this specific issue has not changed. Any extradition is a legal matter, and this issue will also be dealt with accordingly."

An Indian journalist raised a question referring to Sheikh Hasina's recent interview with Reuters.

In the interview, Sheikh Hasina said that she and other leaders of the Awami League are planning to return to Bangladesh by December.

Sheikh Hasina and several other Awami League leaders have been staying in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024 following a student-led mass uprising.

Bangladesh has sent multiple letters to India requesting Sheikh Hasina's extradition so that she can face trial in cases involving crimes against humanity, murder, and other allegations.

Responding to media reports suggesting that India's development projects in Bangladesh could be suspended due to a "lack of progress," Randhir Jaiswal said, "Our development project programme in Bangladesh was undertaken in mutual consultation with the Government of Bangladesh, and it continues in the same manner."

It is worth noting that all of these development projects were initiated and implementation began during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina's government before August 2024.