BANGKOK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus discussed the extradition of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina during their bilateral meet in Thailand, said ministry of external affairs on Friday. It, however, did not make any further comments regarding the issue.
“Bangladesh has made a formal request regarding Sheikh Hasina. Saying anything more on this will not be correct right now,” foreign secretary Vikram Misri said.
PM Modi met Yunus in Bangkok, marking their first interaction since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August last year. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Bimstec summit, where leaders of the regional grouping convened to discuss multi-sectoral and technical cooperation.
Earlier this year, Yunus had claimed that India had not provided any “official response” to requests for the extradition of Hasina.
India, last year, had confirmed that it had received note from Bangladesh requesting Hasina’s extradition.
Hasina is accused of using security forces and police to abduct, torture, and kill hundreds of activists. However, she dismisses these claims, asserting that she is being targeted for political persecution.
Since Yunus took charge as Bangladesh’s interim leader following Hasina’s ouster in August 2024, relations with India have cooled, fueled by Delhi’s concerns over rising violence against Hindus and the growing influence of hardline Islamist groups.
The situation was further complicated last week when, during his visit to China, Yunus urged Beijing to expand its economic footprint in Bangladesh, controversially suggesting that India’s landlocked northeastern states could serve as an opportunity for Chinese influence
Agencies