India on Tuesday reaffirmed that its position regarding Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina remains unchanged, emphasising that any potential extradition would be treated strictly as a matter of law.
“Now, on this particular issue, there is no change in our approach to the matter. Any extradition matter is a legal issue, as you very well know, and it will be dealt with accordingly,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters in New Delhi during a regular briefing.
He made the remarks when a journalist drew his attention to Hasina’s recent interview, where she expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh in December this year, UNB reports.
Responding to a question on development projects in Bangladesh, the MEA spokesperson said the development cooperation programme that they have with Bangladesh is something that is done through mutual consultations, and that continues to be the case.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday told Parliament that the government wants Hasina to be extradited to Bangladesh under the existing extradition agreement, saying she will be arrested immediately upon her return as she has already been convicted in several cases.
Referring to the legal stance, he said Sheikh Hasina will have no opportunity to surrender as she is already a convicted person.
“If she returns, she will be arrested immediately, and the verdicts will be executed. If there is any scope for appeal, that will be decided by the court,” Salahuddin said.
