India Should Respect Extradition Treaty with Bangladesh and Send Hasina Back
India’s democracy faces a test as it weighs Bangladesh’s request to extradite Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity and corruption. Will it honor its treaty or risk its global image by refusing?
ক্ষমতাচ্যুত ও ভারতে পলাতক শেখ হাসিনাকে প্রত্যার্পণের অনুরোধ জানিয়েছে বাংলাদেশ। মানবতাবিরোধী অপরাধ ও ভয়ানক দুর্নীতি ও অর্থনৈতিক কেলেঙ্কারিতে অভিযুক্ত হাসিনাকে নিয়ে উভয় সঙ্কটে ভারত। দেশটির গণতান্ত্রিক মূল্যবোধ ও বৈশ্বিক সুনাম এক কঠিন পরীক্ষার সম্মুখীন। তাহলে কি নয়াদিল্লি ন্যায়বিচার পক্ষে দাড়াবে নাকি একজন অভিযুক্ত স্বৈরশাসককে আশ্রয় দিয়ে নিজে বহুমাত্রিক স্বার্থকে ঝুঁকিতে ফেলবে? এ নিয়ে পড়ুন শাহীন হোসাইনের লেখা।
India’s longstanding tradition as a democracy and its aspiration for global leadership are now at a crossroads. Bangladesh’s request to extradite its recently ousted Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, presents a critical test of India’s commitment to justice, the rule of law, and fair diplomacy. Hasina is accused of atrocities, crimes against humanity, and embezzling billions from one of the world’s poorest nations. A recent UN investigation found that her government systematically used deadly violence against protesters, resulting in over 1,400 deaths. While legal experts debate the specifics of the formal extradition treaty between New Delhi and Dhaka, signed on January 28, 2023, India’s moral, legal, and strategic duty is to honor its obligations and return Hasina to face justice.
India’s Commitment to Justice and Global Leadership
India’s credibility as a global leader depends on upholding treaties and agreements. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have cooperated on legal matters, demonstrating mutual respect for their obligations. A notable example occurred on November 11, 2015, when Bangladesh extradited ULFA leader Anup Chetia to India upon request. Such precedents underscore the importance of honoring bilateral treaties. While specific legal provisions may be open to interpretation, India’s status as the world’s largest democracy—and its aspiration for global influence—necessitate respecting Bangladesh’s request and the broader principles of international law.
Economic Stakes—India’s Trade with Bangladesh
The stakes extend far beyond Hasina’s fate. India’s economic relationship with Bangladesh is not only significant but also deeply intertwined. India exports over $14 billion worth of goods to Bangladesh while importing only around $2 billion. Millions of Indian farmers and industries depend on Bangladeshi markets. If Bangladesh perceives India as sheltering an individual accused of serious crimes, it may take retaliatory measures that could severely impact bilateral trade. Such disruptions would devastate key sectors—agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism—while casting doubt on India’s reliability as a regional partner. Preserving cross-border economic interests is crucial for India’s growth, stability, and influence.
India’s Geopolitical Aspirations and the UN Security Council
In addition, India’s geopolitical ambitions, including its bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC), largely depend on its respect for international agreements and human rights. Sheltering a leader accused of crimes against humanity and large-scale corruption would damage India’s global standing. Ignoring Bangladesh’s extradition request would suggest that India tolerates impunity, undermining its credibility as a responsible global actor. This, in turn, would provide India’s rivals with grounds to challenge its suitability for UNSC membership and broader international leadership roles.
The Moral Imperative—Justice for Victims
Beyond political and economic considerations, there is a compelling moral obligation. Hasina is accused of brutally suppressing dissent, orchestrating enforced disappearances, ordering extrajudicial killings, and stealing billions. The anguish of more than 4,000 parents whose children vanished, the despair of survivors of violent crackdowns, and the suffering of communities torn apart by her regime’s actions remain fresh. Harboring Hasina would thus obstruct the pursuit of justice and signal India’s disregard for human rights. Moreover, overlooking these allegations would contradict India’s stated commitment to justice and humanitarian principles.
The Changing Political Landscape in Bangladesh
The notion that Hasina was a “friend” to India no longer holds water. Whatever political capital she once had has now eroded. Credible polls indicate that her party, the Awami League, would receive only about 9% of the vote in a fair election. By protecting a deposed authoritarian leader, India risks alienating 180 million Bangladeshis and undermining trust in its relationship with both the current and future governments in Dhaka. As Bangladesh transitions politically, its new leadership may seek closer ties with nations that respect its demands for justice, and thus ignoring Dhaka’s extradition request could permanently damage bilateral relations.
The False Comparison with the Dalai Lama
Some may attempt to equate Hasina’s stay in India with that of the Dalai Lama. However, this is a false equivalence. The Dalai Lama is a global symbol of peace who has never been accused of orchestrating violence or atrocities. In stark contrast, Hasina stands accused of crimes against humanity, including the brutal killing of over 2,000 protesters—many of them students under 20—in broad daylight. Offering Hasina refuge under the same rationale trivializes these allegations and ignores the fundamental differences between a peaceful spiritual leader and an individual accused of egregious human rights abuses.
The Strategic Risks of Sheltering Hasina
Alienating Bangladesh would be a strategic miscalculation for India. Rejecting a high-profile extradition request could make India appear untrustworthy in regional and global diplomacy. Such a move could embolden separatists in sensitive areas like the Northeast and undermine India’s broader regional stability. Furthermore, flouting a legal obligation would set a dangerous precedent, raising concerns about India’s willingness to honor its commitments under international law.
Conclusion
New Delhi should extradite Hasina in the interest of justice, its global leadership ambitions, and its regional and bilateral interests. Citing humanitarian concerns for a leader accused of brutal repression is a flawed argument. Bangladesh’s interim government has pledged to conduct fair legal proceedings that meet international standards. Supporting this process would uphold India’s moral obligations while safeguarding its economic and geopolitical interests.
By extraditing Hasina, India would demonstrate that it values treaties, human rights, and the sovereignty of its neighbors over the comfort of one individual. With the world watching, India’s decision will either affirm its status as a law-abiding democracy or expose it as an unreliable ally. In the interest of justice, international agreements, and regional stability, India should honor Bangladesh’s extradition request.
About the Author:
Shahin Hossain is a Doctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, specializing in policy research and critical inquiry. He is a writer and scholar working to positively impact social equity and justice. He can be reached at shahinh1@umbc.edu
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence. | A guest post by
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