Elections Or Not, India Unlikely To Hand Over Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina To Dhaka

The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh has initiated a trial against former PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last August following a student-led uprising.

Updated at : Thu, June 5,2025, (IST)

India Unlikely To Handover Sheikh Hasina To Dhaka Bangladesh Elections Elections Or Not, India Unlikely To Hand Over Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina To Dhaka

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh 

Despite the charges brought against former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for committing crimes against humanity during a student-led uprising last year, New Delhi has decided not to extradite the fugitive leader, according to multiple sources reported by ABP 

Sheikh Hasina, once hailed for her leadership as the world's longest-serving female leader, has been residing in India since August 5, 2024, following significant civil unrest in Bangladesh due to her misgovernment.

The ICT reported on Sunday that Hasina orchestrated a "coordinated, widespread, and systematic attack" targeting both students and civilians amidst the violent protests that engulfed Dhaka for nearly three months. These intense demonstrations ultimately led to her removal from power and her subsequent flight to India.

Interestingly, the ICT was established by Hasina herself in 2009 to investigate and prosecute individuals for war crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This tribunal focuses on the crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity that were perpetrated by the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators, known as Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams.

While India has taken note of the indictment issued by the ICT, New Delhi has made it clear that it is "under no compulsion or pressure" to send Hasina back to Dhaka, highly placed sources told ABP Live.

Mohammad Tajul Islam, Chief Prosecutor at the ICT, told the court on Sunday, "Upon scrutinising the evidence, we reached the conclusion that it was a coordinated, widespread and systematic attack … The accused unleashed all law enforcement agencies and her armed party members to crush the uprising."

Along with Hasina, the ICT has also prosecuted Bangladesh's former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, both of whom belonged to Hasina's now-banned Awami League party.

Hasina also faces an arrest warrant and an extradition order by Dhaka. India has rejected both and continues to shelter her. At the same time, New Delhi is concerned that the interim government in Dhaka, led by Chief Advisor and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has banned her party from contesting the next round of national elections.

Elections In Dhaka Remain Elusive

New Delhi has categorically informed Dhaka that in order to reset the fraught bilateral ties, the interim government there, headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, will have to hold "free and fair" elections by this year.

In fact, this was one of the main issues raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he met Yunus for a bilateral conversation on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC 2025 Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand, in April this year.

Chandan Nandy, associate professor of practice, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, and an expert on India-Bangladesh issues, said, "Yunus is clearly against India and will hold us responsible for whatever India says. He is on a path of continuing collision and friction with India, no matter how much New Delhi demands an early, inclusive, and fair election there."

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Bangladesh will have to "ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding an inclusive, fair and free elections at an early date".

The Yunus-run administration has run into trouble even with other prominent political parties of Bangladesh, like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which had been pushing the interim government to hold the elections by December.

"The interim government has now even started to sharpen their knives against the BNP. Since the BNP has been putting pressure on the Yunus government, their party cadres have been under targeted attacks. But the only positive aspect amongst all this is that the Bangladeshi Army has been showing restraint and avoided taking any untoward," said Nandy.

The BNP had been holding a series of rallies across Dhaka urging the interim government to hold elections by December.

"Excuses are already being made regarding the national elections. Even after 10 months, the interim government has not announced the election date," said Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP.

Rahman also added, "Historically, caretaker governments in Bangladesh have shown that national elections can be organised and executed within three months. The precedent is clear. It can be done. And yet, 10 months into its tenure, the interim administration has still not announced an election date."

On May 10, the interim government in Dhaka banned the Awami League, albeit temporarily, under the anti-terrorism act and effectively barring it from participating in the next national elections that will take place.

However, according to diplomatic sources, there is no clarity as to when the Yunus-led government will hold the elections. Meanwhile, the present dispensation in Dhaka has ensured that the Awami League is weakened ahead of the elections, if at all they are held. Yunus had earlier stated that the elections might be held next year between February and June.

What Happens To India-Bangladesh Relations?

The bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh has experienced significant strain, particularly in terms of strategic and security dimensions, following the onset of governance by the Yunus-led administration. This deterioration has not only affected diplomatic relations but has also had a notable impact on bilateral trade, which has historically been the cornerstone of positive interaction between the two nations.

Once celebrated for its robust economic cooperation, the trade connection has faced serious setbacks, undermining the previously flourishing exchanges that benefited both countries. As political tensions rise, the future of this vital trade partnership hangs in the balance, raising concerns about the economic repercussions for both India and Bangladesh.

Both sides have imposed restrictions on what they can import from each other. India put an end to Bangladeshi goods from reaching the northeast region in a strong message to Yunus. During his visit to China in March 2025, Yunus had asked Beijing to access the northeast through them.

India has also moved to ban land-port imports of readymade garments (RMG) and processed food. Therefore, land ports, such as Petrapole, Hili, Mahadipur, Changrabandha, and Fulbari, have stopped imports of these key items from Bangladesh.

Shantanu Mukharji, advisor, NatStrat and former National Security Advisor in Mauritius, said: "I do not see India handing over Hasina to Dhaka in the foreseeable future. The world cannot expect India to send back an ally, a friend. Hasina has been an immense support for India. We shall continue to stand beside her. This is also because we know that the moment we hand her over, she will face tremendous torture."

He added, "The present political dispensation is killing people, political adversaries, and minorities. Insecurity among women is on the rise. Overall security in Bangladesh is at a new low. And the Yunus government is willy-nilly abetting the general people to become anti-India. A sense of hostility is being encouraged at all levels. By implication, it looks state-supported. To normalise relations, it's important to have people-to-people connect with no angst."

Earlier this month, Bangladesh cancelled a $21 million contract with India's Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for the construction of an 'Advanced Ocean-Going Tug'. To make matters between New Delhi and Dhaka worse, Bangladesh's Supreme Court recently restored the political registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamist party in the country.

This move allows the party to participate in the political landscape once again. The ban on the outfit was imposed due to its controversial past, including its alleged collaboration with Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War.

Jamaat-e-Islami has long been viewed with suspicion in India due to its backing of pro-Pakistani sentiments and its opposition to the Independence of Bangladesh. Their revival in politics raises fears of renewed anti-India rhetoric. The party is often described as vehemently anti-India and has been linked to pro-Pakistani activities. More power and influence to the party could lead to regional instability, especially along the sensitive Bengal-Bangladesh border.

Nandy added, "Resetting of ties with India is difficult, even if and after the elections are held… Jamaat has become very active in Bangladesh. This is a huge concern, not just for that country but also for India."