India wants to facilitate the return of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through a process similar to the one that took her to India after she fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, according to a BBC Bangla report.
New Delhi reportedly wants the Bangladesh Army to take responsibility for bringing Hasina back and guarantee her security upon arrival. India is also seeking assurances that she will have the opportunity to appeal against her death sentence in connection with the July 2024 uprising-related crimes and receive a fresh trial.
According to the report, India has placed two major conditions before Bangladesh to facilitate Hasina’s return.
The first is the direct involvement of the Bangladesh Army. New Delhi has reportedly proposed that Bangladesh send a military aircraft to bring her home, as she travelled to India aboard a Bangladeshi military aircraft when she left the country on August 5, 2024.
An alternative under consideration is for Bangladeshi military personnel to receive her at a designated point along the land border.
The second condition concerns legal guarantees. India wants Bangladesh to ensure that Hasina can appeal her death sentence and have access to a fresh and fair judicial process.
India increasingly uncomfortable with Hasina’s presence
Hasina’s prolonged stay in India has reportedly become a source of discomfort for New Delhi, affecting bilateral relations and attracting international scrutiny.
India has faced criticism for sheltering a former leader convicted over the deadly crackdown on protesters during the 2024 uprising.
According to BBC Bangla, Indian policymakers initially explored the possibility of sending Hasina to a third country. However, diplomatic efforts to find an alternative destination reportedly failed to produce a solution.
As a result, allowing her to return to Bangladesh and participate in legal proceedings is increasingly being viewed as a possible way forward.
Some Indian policymakers also believe that the Awami League, whose political activities have been banned in Bangladesh, may find it difficult to regain political momentum without Hasina’s return.
A senior Indian Foreign Ministry official told BBC Bangla that New Delhi could not knowingly hand her over to face execution.
“Rather, we would want her to have an opportunity for a fresh trial,” the official was quoted as saying.
India also reportedly wants any judicial proceedings against Hasina to take place under the scrutiny of the international community and global media.
A source in the Indian military told BBC Bangla that New Delhi wants assurances from the Bangladesh Army that Hasina’s security would not be compromised after her return.
Behind-the-scenes discussions over the military’s role
Bangladesh formally requested Hasina’s extradition in December 2024. However, India has yet to make a final decision, citing legal considerations under the bilateral extradition treaty.
The report said India does not want to send Hasina back aboard a Bangladeshi aircraft as a formally handed-over accused person, as such a move could send a negative message to allied political leaders in neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Nevertheless, discussions on the issue have reportedly continued behind closed doors over the past several months.
According to BBC Bangla, an unannounced meeting took place in New Delhi during the first week of October involving then-Bangladesh High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth.
Indian military sources claimed that the meeting was aimed at securing the Bangladesh Army’s active involvement in facilitating Hasina’s return.
Former Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande has also publicly acknowledged maintaining regular communication with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman since July 2024.
Indian sources reportedly hope that the existing military-to-military relationship between the two countries could help facilitate Hasina’s return.
Hasina’s December return plan
BBC Bangla reported that Hasina expressed her intention to return to Bangladesh in December 2026 in an interview with Reuters after reaching an understanding with Indian authorities.
However, Indian officials reportedly remain uncertain whether Bangladesh’s current government wants her back at a time when the country is dealing with domestic challenges, including an energy crisis and protests by garment workers.
They also fear that her return could trigger fresh political instability in Bangladesh.
An official at India’s South Block told BBC Bangla that New Delhi had agreed to Hasina’s announcement about returning in December despite knowing that the conditions for her return were unlikely to be fulfilled.
“At least then we will be able to say that Sheikh Hasina herself wanted to return, but it was not possible because Bangladesh raised various excuses,” the official was quoted as saying.
The report added that Hasina’s announcement has energised Awami League leaders and activists.
Even if she fails to return by December 31, the development could provide New Delhi with further grounds to justify extending her stay in India.
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