Today, Md. Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor, stated that should the Indian legal system demand it, the Foreign Ministry would make every effort to repatriate ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.
“It is better not to speculate. There are legal processes. If our legal system wants, we will definitely try (to bring her back),” Hossain told reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon.
He suggested that inquiries concerning Hasina’s present situation in India be made to Indian authorities.
After the interim administration decided to cancel all diplomatic passports, concerns have been raised concerning Hasina’s length of stay in India and the likelihood of her being extradited.
Hasina was given short notice permission to enter India, according to earlier confirmation from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Touhid stated that the government would seek her repatriation if the legal system and courts in Bangladesh cause problems, citing the extradition agreement between Bangladesh and India.
India has extradition agreements with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in addition to other SAARC members.
Sheikh Hasina is accused of being involved in several deaths that occurred during the most recent atrocity, among other charges.
Touhid made it clear that the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that Bangladesh has signed with India, especially the one pertaining to the railway industry, are not legally binding and can be reviewed to make sure that Bangladesh’s interests are safeguarded.
According to the consultant, MoUs are not the same as agreements because they give room for discretion in determining whether Bangladesh’s interests are being honored.
He did, however, guarantee that the ongoing projects with India will proceed according to plan.
Touhid responded, “He (Jaishankar) spoke positively about renewed relations with Bangladesh,” to remarks made recently about Bangladesh by India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar.
Regarding the situation with Myanmar, Touhid mentioned that Bangladesh has been keeping a close eye on the border to stop more Rohingya inflows.
