Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal Slams Bangladesh’s Yunus Government Over Extradition Request for Sheikh Hasina
In a scathing critique, former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal has sharply criticized the Bangladesh interim government, led by economist Muhammad Yunus, for its request to India for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The request, which was officially sent to India on Monday, has raised tensions between the two neighboring countries and has been described by Sibal as a “highly ill-advised step.”
Sibal, who has long been a prominent voice on India’s foreign policy, took to social media to express his concerns. He warned that this diplomatic move could derail the fragile relationship between India and Bangladesh. Sibal further asserted that the Yunus government, emboldened by external support, is seeking to confront India politically rather than resolve the matter through diplomacy.
Background: The Extradition Request for Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 2023 following her ousting amid anti-government protests in Bangladesh, is facing serious charges from Dhaka’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The tribunal has issued arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her and several members of her former Cabinet of committing “crimes against humanity and genocide.” The charges stem from Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War and the actions of Hasina’s government during the unrest.
In a move that has shocked diplomatic circles, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Yunus, formally requested India to extradite Hasina to face trial. Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Adviser to the interim government, confirmed the development on Monday, stating that Bangladesh had sent a “note verbale” (a diplomatic message) to India seeking Hasina’s return.
“We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government, requesting the extradition of Sheikh Hasina for judicial processes in Bangladesh,” Hossain said, addressing reporters in Dhaka. The diplomatic message signals Bangladesh’s intent to bring Hasina back to face charges in her home country.
Kanwal Sibal’s Strong Opposition
Kanwal Sibal, a former senior Indian diplomat, wasted no time in condemning the move. In his tweet, Sibal labeled the request for Hasina’s extradition as “purely political” and emphasized that the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh does not cover politically motivated extraditions.
“Bangladesh knows India won’t extradite Hasina,” Sibal stated. “This is a political move aimed at destabilizing relations between the two countries. Political extradition is not covered under the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, and this is just a tactic to keep the issue alive in the media.”
Sibal further elaborated on the broader implications of the Yunus government’s stance. He pointed out that the extradition request comes just after India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s conciliatory visit to Dhaka, which was aimed at improving bilateral ties. According to Sibal, the move by the interim government signals that Islamist factions in Bangladesh are “unreceptive” to India’s diplomatic overtures and are actively pushing to “roll back” the relationship between the two countries.
The Political Context Behind the Extradition Request
The Yunus-led government in Bangladesh has been facing increasing pressure from Islamist groups, who have opposed its policies and leadership. Some political analysts believe that this extradition request is a reflection of the government’s attempt to cater to these factions, many of whom have supported the recent regime change in Bangladesh.
While the request to India may be viewed as an attempt to galvanize nationalist sentiment in Bangladesh, it risks escalating already tense relations with India. India, which has historically maintained a close relationship with Hasina’s government, is unlikely to accede to the request for her extradition, given the political implications.
Home Advisor Jahangir Alam of the interim government also added fuel to the fire by confirming that his office had sent a letter to Bangladesh’s foreign ministry to initiate the process of Hasina’s extradition from India. He claimed that the extradition could proceed under the existing India-Bangladesh extradition treaty. However, experts believe that this is an unlikely scenario, given the political and diplomatic ramifications.
The Future of India-Bangladesh Relations
Sibal’s comments highlight the delicate nature of India-Bangladesh relations, especially in the context of political unrest and regime changes in Bangladesh. The move to seek Hasina’s extradition risks complicating matters further, as it will likely become a recurring issue in the bilateral ties between the two countries.
India has long been a supporter of Hasina, who is viewed as a key ally in South Asia, particularly due to her government’s stance against Islamist extremism and its cooperation with India on issues like security and trade. The extradition request, if not handled delicately, could damage the carefully built rapport between the two nations and could have long-lasting diplomatic consequences.
Sibal’s Warning on the Extradition Crisis
Kanwal Sibal’s final warning is clear: the Yunus government’s decision to seek Hasina’s extradition could become a “running issue” that continuously strains the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh. The broader implications of this diplomatic move, especially considering the geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, remain to be seen.
This development is also being closely watched by external observers, who are concerned that the increasing political confrontation between India and Bangladesh could have regional ramifications. As tensions rise, both countries will need to carefully navigate this sensitive issue to avoid a further breakdown in relations.