MUMBAI: India has extended the visa of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country last year amidst political turmoil. Hasina, who left Dhaka on August 5, 2024, after violent student-led protests resulted in over 500 deaths, has been residing in New Delhi under tight security. Despite speculations surrounding her potential asylum, Indian authorities have firmly denied such claims, stating that the visa extension is merely a technical measure to facilitate her stay.
The visa extension coincides with a formal extradition request from Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, submitted on December 23. The Bangladeshi government accuses Hasina of being involved in the violence and enforced disappearances during the protests of 2024.
In a further escalation, Bangladesh’s immigration authorities revoked the passports of 97 individuals, including Hasina, on Tuesday. According to Yunus’ spokesperson, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Hasina and others are implicated in the forced disappearances and killings during the protests. While 22 individuals had their passports revoked for their role in the disappearances, the remaining 75, including Hasina, were accused of involvement in the killings of July 2024.
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However, many critics argue that these charges against Hasina are politically motivated, viewing them as part of the interim government’s efforts to consolidate power ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections.
India now faces a diplomatic challenge, with the extension of Hasina’s visa potentially complicating its relations with Bangladesh. While granting the extension is unlikely to have an immediate impact on bilateral ties, the extradition request has added a layer of complexity. Analysts note that India’s decision to extend the visa, rather than address the extradition demands, reflects the political sensitivity of the situation.
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