Bangladesh has made a formal request seeking the extradition of Sheikh Hasina who fled the country after violent protesters hit the streets.
Hasina took refuge in Bharat after she left the country, and this has led to a diplomatic tussle between the two countries. On Monday, December 23 when asked about the development, the foreign ministry said it had no comment to offer. The ministry which confirmed the development is expected to come up with a more elaborate response later this week, the Organiser has learnt.
The extradition request was made following an arrest warrant that has been issued against Hasina in Bangladesh. Dhaka alleges that she had committed crimes against humanity during the students’ protests. Bangladesh has now expressed its desire to try her in these cases.
What can Bharat do
Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have suffered. Bangladesh has been blind to the plight of the Hindus who have come under attack by radical Islamists.
Further the calls made by Bharat to ensure a stoppage of violence against the minority communities has fallen on deaf ears. Caretaker Muhammad Yunus has not only refused to heed to the requests but also denies that any atrocity is being committed. He has in fact allowed the Islamists to have a free run while encouraging activities by the ISI.
New Delhi is most likely not going to heed to the extradition request. The 2013 treaty that the two countries signed relating to extradition suggests that any such request would be a lengthy and complicated affair. While Dhaka has said that it would seek the help of the Interpol to secure the presence of Sheikh Hasina, that scenario could arise only if she decides to travel outside New Delhi.
Article 6 of the treaty says that extradition may be refused if the offence for which it made is political in nature. Further Article 8 too could be cited stating that a person may not be extradited if he or she can convince the requested state that the acquisition is not being made in good faith in the interests of justice.
Bharat is however most likely to wait for Sheikh Hasina to challenge this decision before a court of law. New Delhi is likely to let the law take its own course.
Further New Delhi is mindful of the relations that it shared with Dhaka when Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister. Extraditing her to a country which is currently unsafe for her would send a bad message globally.
Probably Bharat could also try and convince countries such ads the UAE or Saudi Arabia to provide Sheikh Hasina a safe haven. However, that would be done at a later stage depending on what the courts have to say and how the situation would evolve in the days to come.
Extraditing Sheikh Hasina will change nothing
Dhaka would continue to state that the diplomatic ties hang on what New Delhi does when it comes to Hasina. Bangladesh has been increasingly trying to send out a message that the ties between the two nations has soured since Bharat continues to provide a safe place for Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh watchers say that the extradition of Sheikh Hasina would change nothing. Bangladesh has been taken over by the ISI and Pakistan would never allow anything to normalise between the two countries. Pakistan feels that it is its best chance to gain control over Dhaka and use it as a playground against Bharat. Hence stating that Hasina being in Bharat is a hinderance to better diplomatic ties is nothing but a mere excuse.
Since taking over Yunus has made several decisions that are not just counterproductive to Bharat but also to his own country. Allowing unhindered access to the Bangladesh waters for Pakistan vessels is a security nightmare. Further a free visa regime for Pakistanis where they would need any prior checks also is a security concern.
Bharat is concerned that the sea route may be used to send in arms and ammunition which would ultimately be used against it in the future. The free visa regime also gives terrorists a free walk into Bangladesh.
With each passing day there are efforts being made by Dhaka to rebuild its ties with Pakistan and this does not send a right message to New Delhi.
Hence in a nutshell, the extradition of Hasina is just an excuse by Bangladesh to sever ties with Bharat and in reality, it has no intention on having a working relationship with New Delhi.
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