Mashfi Binte Shams, former deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh to India, said that although Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India is a major issue, it has not caused any strain in the relations between New Delhi and Dhaka as this relationship has been going on for a long time. And has evolved continuously over the last 50 years.
‘Focus should be given to long-term relations between the two countries’
Mashafi binte Shams, speaking to ANI, said that extradition is not the only issue between India and Bangladesh, and both the countries are working towards their ‘multidimensional’ relations. He said, ‘The extradition of Sheikh Hasina is very important for the Bangladesh government right now.’ He said that instead of focusing on short-term situations, focus should be on long-term relations between the two countries.
India extended the visa period
India has extended the visa period of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August last year. This step has been taken by the Government of India at a time when the interim government of Dhaka is demanding his extradition.
Sheikh Hasina reached Hindon airbase on August 5 and since then has been living in a safe place in Delhi under tight security. The interim government of Bangladesh led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus had requested the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on 23 December.
Sheikh Hasina’s visa extension is not asylum
Dhaka officials say Hasina should be held accountable for her alleged involvement in incidents of violence and disappearances during political protests in 2024. However, Indian sources have rejected the claims of granting asylum to Sheikh Hasina.
He clarified that there is no specific law for granting asylum in India and his visa extension should not be seen as an indication of granting asylum. A source said on condition of anonymity, ‘This is just a technical extension for the convenience of their living.’