Kumar Bahukhandi
File photo of Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka. Trivedi said on Saturday, October 3, 2026, that Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being handled through a legal process and that no timeframe can be given for its conclusion. Photo: PTI/File
High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi says India had ‘hardly any choice’ when Hasina arrived in August 2024; stresses that courts and established legal procedures are involved
Key Highlights
- India says Bangladesh’s request for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition remains under legal examination.
- Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said the process is legal and “well-structured”.
- He said no timeframe can be given because judicial processes are involved.
- Trivedi said India had “hardly any choice” but to allow Hasina to enter the country amid the upheaval of August 2024.
- He stressed that Hasina was not brought to India by the Indian Air Force or Indian Army.
- The remarks came at the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka.
Dhaka: Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being dealt with through an established legal process in India, and no timeframe can presently be given for its outcome, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said on Saturday, October 3.
Speaking during a discussion at the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka, Trivedi said the Government of India had repeatedly maintained that an established process governed the issue.
“There is a process, and the process is legal, and it is well structured. So, as far as that is concerned, the process is on.”
He said the involvement of the courts meant it was not possible to indicate when the matter might be concluded.
“Nobody can give you a timeframe.”
The remarks provide one of New Delhi’s clearest recent public explanations of its position on Dhaka’s continuing demand for Hasina’s return.
‘India Had Hardly Any Choice’
Trivedi also addressed the circumstances surrounding Hasina’s arrival in India on August 5, 2024, as her government collapsed amid widespread unrest in Bangladesh.
He stressed that she had not been transported to India by the Indian military.
“Hasina was not brought to India by the Indian Air Force or Indian Army.”
Recalling the rapidly unfolding events of the day, Trivedi said India had been confronted with an unexpected situation and had limited options when the aircraft carrying her sought permission to enter.
“At that point in time, Hasina was still the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. We had hardly any choice on that. It was our duty as a neighbour to accept the reality of life.”
He described the circumstances in Bangladesh at the time as “tragic” and said such a situation should not be repeated anywhere.
Trivedi also posed the question of what might have happened had India refused permission for the aircraft carrying Hasina to land.
His comments sought to distinguish India’s decision to receive Hasina during the immediate political crisis from the separate legal question now surrounding Bangladesh’s extradition request.
Extradition Remains a Sensitive Bilateral Issue
Hasina has been staying in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024. Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition, while India’s Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the request is being examined in accordance with established procedures.
The issue has consequently remained an important element in relations between New Delhi and Dhaka.
Trivedi, however, emphasised respect for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and its right to determine its own foreign relations.
“Bangladesh is an independent country. It will decide independently with which country it will build and maintain relations.”
His remarks indicate that while India acknowledges the extradition request and says the legal process is continuing, New Delhi is not committing itself to a deadline for any decision.
