'Nothing Can be Done Unless India Returns Hasina' : Foreign Affairs Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Wednesday that Bangladesh has no viable options if India declines to send back ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Speaking to reporters at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he stated, “Tell me, what can we do? What options do we have? There is actually nothing significant to be done. India has to agree or be willing to return her.”

“If they do not agree, there is really nothing we can do,” he added. “We can try to persuade them; we can keep trying, but nothing beyond that.”

Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 last year after a mass student–public uprising forced her from power. She has remained there since.

Last month, the International Crimes Tribunal handed her a death sentence for killings and crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the movement.

Although the interim government has formally sought her repatriation, India has not responded.

Following the tribunal’s verdict, Dhaka again issued a diplomatic note to New Delhi requesting her return under the existing extradition agreement.