Govt seeks Hasina’s return for trial

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday said the government is continuing efforts to secure the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, saying the objective is to bring her back to Bangladesh to face trial.

“Of course, we should bring her back to Bangladesh and complete the trial. That is what the people of Bangladesh want. Work is underway for that purpose,” the state minister told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when asked about Hasina’s recent remarks.

She, however, said there was no fresh development to share, noting that the extradition process remains ongoing.

Responding to a separate question on Bangladesh’s foreign relations, Shama Obaed said Dhaka is committed to maintaining constructive ties with all countries based on its national interests.

“We will have relations with China. We will have relations with all countries. And I don’t think that if relations with one country are good, relations with another country will be bad,” she said.

The state minister said the government’s foreign policy is guided by the objective of safeguarding Bangladesh’s national interests while maintaining balanced relations with all partners.

Her remarks come as India continues to examine Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition.
On 17 April, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the extradition request was under consideration as part of its judicial and internal legal procedures.

“There is a request… the request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi, adding that India would continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders on the matter.

Bangladesh renewed its request on 8 April, seeking the extradition of Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal following verdicts delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir recently said Bangladesh would continue pursuing the extradition request through what he described as a transparent judicial process.

“We will continue to seek her extradition through a transparent judicial process. It has been discussed and will be dealt with through a transparent judicial process,” he told reporters in Dhaka.