In a significant diplomatic development, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr. Khalilur Rahman met India’s NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Wednesday, just two days after Dhaka formally requested the extradition of its ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death on charges of “crimes against humanity.”
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the seventh NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) held in the Indian capital. According to a statement released by the Bangladesh High Commission, the two sides discussed bilateral security issues as well as the ongoing work and objectives of the CSC.
Dr. Rahman also extended an invitation to Ajit Doval to visit Bangladesh at a time of his convenience.
Backdrop of Growing Tensions
The talks come at a sensitive moment in India–Bangladesh relations, as Sheikh Hasina’s extradition has emerged as a major point of friction.
Hasina has been living in India since mid-2024, after fleeing Bangladesh during a massive student-led uprising against her government. On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh found her guilty on five counts of crimes against humanity, alleging that she and her associates ordered the use of lethal force against student protesters.
The tribunal sentenced Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state witness, received a five-year jail term.
Hasina has rejected the verdict, calling the trial “biased,” “politically motivated,” and led by a government with “no democratic mandate.” She also questioned the credibility of the ICT, calling it a “rigged institution.”
Dhaka Demands Extradition from India
Following the verdict, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry demanded that India hand over both Hasina and Kamal under the existing extradition treaty between the two nations.
Dhaka argued that granting asylum to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would violate international legal norms.
India Maintains Silence
India has not officially reacted to the request, but Wednesday’s NSA-level meeting is being closely watched for signs of how New Delhi may navigate the politically charged situation.
The developments mark one of the most tense phases in India–Bangladesh relations in recent years, with the fate of Sheikh Hasina likely to influence diplomatic engagements in the weeks ahead.
