Strained Ties .... between India and Bangladesh is a reality ::: But Bangladesh NSA meets Ajit Doval, invites him to Dhaka

Ties between India and Bangladesh became shaky after former Prime Minister Hasina fled to New Delhi after her ouster during violent student-led protests in her own country last year.  

Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman is in Delhi to attend the 7th Meeting of the NSAs of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).  

He met NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Tuesday (Nov 19) and formally invited him to Dhaka.

Bangladesh has made repeated requests for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The episode or row intensified this week after Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina and former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for their alleged role in the July crackdown on student protests in 2024.  

Relations have been under pressure since Hasina fled to India after her ouster during violent student-led protests last year. Bangladesh has maintained that she has been residing in India since then. Dhaka first sought her extradition in December 2024, a request that came barely two weeks after India’s foreign secretary visited the country.

Bangladesh has again written to India, seeking the “immediate return” of both leaders. It also warned that any country sheltering Hasina would be committing “an extremely unfriendly act and a disregard for justice.” 

Citing the bilateral extradition treaty, Dhaka has argued that the verdict finds Hasina “guilty of crimes against humanity.”  

In a statement - MEA said :

“As a close neighbour India remains committed to the best interest of people of Bangladesh including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. 

We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end”. 

Hasina called verdict against her "biased"

In a statement, the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi said, 

-- "Bangladesh delegation to the seventh NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), led by the National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, met with the National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval and his team today in Delhi."

The statement confirmed that the two NSAs discussed the work of the CSC and bilateral matters, though details were not disclosed, reported Dhaka-based 'The Daily Star'. 

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