Dhaka expects answer from Delhi on Hasina's extradition: Foreign adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (26 November) said Bangladesh expects an answer from India on its latest request for extradition of convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

"I do not expect that they will answer within a week of Dhaka's request but we expect we will get an answer," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a journalist wanted to know about the update on Hasina's extradition request.

When pressed further, Hossain said he is not saying that Dhaka is not going to get an answer but the fact is that they are not expecting a reply within seven days.

Bangladesh wrote to India afresh seeking Hasina's extradition following the recent verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal-1.

Adviser Touhid said the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to the Ministry of External Affairs, India through Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

He also acknowledged that Bangladesh did not receive a reply from India on its first request for extradition last year.

On 17 November, the ICT sentenced Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year's July Uprising. Former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison.

The foreign affairs adviser on Sunday (23 November) disclosed the fresh diplomatic communication with New Delhi.

A diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB that the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to New Delhi soon after National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Khalilur Rahman's returns home from New Delhi.

Khalilur Rahman attended the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi on 20 November at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval.

After the verdict, Bangladesh urged the government of India to immediately hand over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities.

This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

"It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity," it said.

Meanwhile, India said it noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning Hasina and said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders.

"As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country," said India's Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

The Indian ministry said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end.