India has extended the visa of Bangladesh’s deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in the country since August 2024, the India Today reported quoting sources on Wednesday. The decision comes amidst growing demands from Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, for her extradition.
India’s decision to extend Hasina’s visa has raised questions, but officials have been quick to dismiss any notion of asylum. Sources clarified that the extension is purely “technical” and does not indicate a move toward granting refuge, as India lacks specific legislation for asylum.
“This is purely a technical extension to facilitate her stay,” India Today quoted a source as saying. Hasina has been living under strict security in a safehouse in Delhi since fleeing Dhaka on August 5, 2024, during violent student-led protests.
Bangladesh’s Extradition Demand
The interim government formally requested Hasina’s extradition on December 23, citing her alleged involvement in incidents of violence and disappearances during the 2024 protests, which resulted in over 500 deaths.
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On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s immigration department announced the cancellation of 97 passports, including Hasina’s. Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, a spokesperson for Yunus, stated that the revocations were linked to allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the unrest.
“Passports of 22 individuals were revoked for their involvement in enforced disappearances, while 75 others, including Sheikh Hasina, were implicated in the July killings,” Majumder said during a press briefing reported by Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency.
Political Backdrop
Critics have accused Bangladesh’s interim government of using the allegations against Hasina for political gain ahead of the next general elections. Opposition voices argue that the charges and the cancellation of her passport are politically motivated attempts to consolidate power.
The extradition request adds pressure on India, which now faces a delicate diplomatic challenge. While Hasina’s presence poses no immediate threat to bilateral relations, acting on the extradition demand could strain ties with both Hasina’s supporters and the current Bangladeshi administration.
India’s Position
India has thus far avoided taking a firm stance on the matter. Officials have reiterated that the visa extension is procedural and not a commentary on Hasina’s political or legal standing in Bangladesh.
As the situation unfolds, India finds itself walking a tightrope, balancing its relationship with Bangladesh’s interim government while ensuring Sheikh Hasina’s safety and security during her stay.
