India accepted Sheikh Hasina as Bangladesh's PM during her arrival, says High Commissioner

Former PM Sheikh Hasina was not brought to India by the Indian air force or army, but arrived on a Bangladeshi military aircraft, and "we hardly had any choice other than accepting her as she was still Bangladesh's PM", India's high commissioner in Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, said Saturday. On Bangladesh's request for Hasina's extradition, Trivedi made it clear the legal process concerning extradition is ongoing, and no timeframe can be given as courts are involved. The Indian envoy made the remarks while responding to questions after addressing a session of the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka, which was inaugurated by PM Tarique Rahman. Talking about the circumstances surrounding Hasina's arrival in India following her government's fall in Aug 2024, Trivedi said that "at that point in time, Hasina was still PM". "We had hardly any choice on that. It was our duty as a neighbour to accept the reality of life, because situations are such where at times you are not prepared for it," said Trivedi, who was appointed high commissioner in April this year. "What was our choice? If you had said that no, we are not going to accept, we don't give landing permission. Things would have been I don't know what," Trivedi said, adding, "Indian authorities were not prepared for the situation." The situation unfolded because of "tragic circumstances" in Bangladesh at that time, he said, and stressed, "Hasina was not brought to India by the Indian air force or army." On Hasina's extradition, Trivedi said that "again and again, the Indian government has replied to this that there is a process, and the process is legal, and it is well structured. So, as far as that is concerned, the process is on." He said the courts are involved in the matter and therefore "nobody can give you a timeframe." Trivedi underscored that India's relationship with Bangladesh does not depend on Dhaka's relations with other countries. He stressed that both countries have the right to protect their respective national interests. Trivedi highlighted the need for continuous dialogue, mutual respect and trust between Bangladesh and India to address bilateral issues, saying every issue between the two neighbours has a solution. He acknowledged that the process of engagement between the countries may be slow, but it has not stopped. "I can guarantee you, there is no stoppage of the process. The process is ongoing," Trivedi said.