India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has described the issue surrounding former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India as a “judicial legal process”, emphasising that it requires “engagement and consultations” between New Delhi and Dhaka.

“We are examining these issues. We look forward to working together with Bangladesh authorities on these issues,” Misri said during an interaction with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi.

Beyond that, Misri noted, “I don’t think it would be constructive to say anything further at this point.” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) B Shyam, DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun were also present during the session.

Addressing perceptions of political bias, the Indian foreign secretary rejected suggestions that India favoured any particular group in Bangladesh. “We should set aside the perception that we have a favourite, or that we are trying to engage with one set of people or ignore another,” he said.

Misri stressed India’s preference for a swift return to democracy in Bangladesh. “We want the earliest possible expression of the mandate of the people, through which a democratically elected government will emerge,” he said.

Asked whether India was attempting to reinstate Sheikh Hasina or her Awami League party, Misri firmly denied such claims. “We are only in favour of an early election in Bangladesh to give its people an opportunity to express their mandate to a popularly elected government,” he stated. “We will deal with the government. We are prepared to deal with the government. I don’t think there is anything else to say with regards to that.”

His remarks came amid Dhaka’s ongoing efforts to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly been in India since August 5 last year following her ouster.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters recently that the government has yet to receive a positive response from India regarding its request for Hasina’s extradition to face trial at home.

Hossain noted that Hasina’s trial had already commenced and would proceed regardless of her return. When asked if Bangladesh would seek international assistance to bring her back, he said, “The government can seek assistance if it deems it necessary. However, I do not see any need at the moment.”

In December of last year, Bangladesh formally submitted a diplomatic note, along with supporting documents, to India, requesting Hasina’s extradition.

The DCAB delegation currently in India comprises 23 members, visiting at the invitation of the Indian government.

SMS/