How Sheikh Hasina’s extradition is a diplomatic tightrope for India

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity during a 2024 crackdown on student protests. Hasina, living in exile in India, rejected the ruling as politically motivated and biased, refusing to return. Bangladesh has formally requested her extradition, but India faces a diplomatic and legal challenge, as the extradition treaty allows refusal for politically motivated cases or perceived injustice. India’s decision could strain ties with Bangladesh’s interim government but is unlikely to break relations entirely. The 2026 elections in Bangladesh will be crucial for shaping future bilateral relations.