India and Bangladesh have entered a critical phase in their diplomatic engagement as security cooperation takes center stage in the backdrop of Bangladesh’s persistent demand for the extradition of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. A significant development occurred on Wednesday, when Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman met his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in New Delhi to discuss key bilateral matters at a time when Dhaka is increasingly vocal about its expectations from India regarding Hasina’s return.

According to a press release issued by the Government of Bangladesh, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral security ties and enhancing collaboration under the Colombo Security Conclave, a multilateral regional forum involving India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, and Seychelles. The conclave aims to advance cooperation on maritime security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and cyber security. The interaction, described as cordial and constructive by both sides, is being viewed as a crucial engagement in resetting the strategic narrative between the neighboring nations.

Ajit Doval, India’s veteran security strategist, was also extended a formal invitation to visit Bangladesh “at his convenience,” signaling Dhaka’s desire to deepen communication and accelerate intelligence cooperation during a politically sensitive period. The talks mark the highest official-level contact on security matters between the two countries since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge as the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August 2024.

The extradition of Sheikh Hasina remains the most contentious issue driving urgency in bilateral ties. Dhaka recently issued a diplomatic note urging New Delhi to hand over the former prime minister, who has taken shelter in India since fleeing her country amid violent protests and a dramatic collapse of her government. Bangladesh has described Hasina as a “fugitive accused” and insists that India is under an “obligatory responsibility” to facilitate her return, citing the bilateral extradition treaty in force between the two nations.

Dhaka’s stance stems from the ruling of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), which on Monday pronounced convictions against Hasina and several former top officials, including ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The tribunal’s findings accuse Hasina of having full knowledge of and issuing orders that allegedly contributed to atrocities committed during the student uprising of July 2024, in which scores of civilians were killed. The judgments include charges of crimes against humanity, incitement to violence, and failure to prevent atrocities while in power.

The government in Dhaka has forcefully argued that by offering refuge to Hasina and Kamal, India would be undermining Bangladesh’s justice system and potentially damaging diplomatic goodwill. The foreign ministry warned that hosting such individuals could be construed as an “unfriendly act” by Bangladesh and an obstruction of justice for victims of state brutality.

For her part, Sheikh Hasina has dismissed the tribunal’s ruling as manufactured, politically motivated, and lacking due process. Through statements issued from India, she maintains her innocence and insists that the tribunal was established by political opponents to erase her legacy and prevent her return to Bangladesh’s political arena. Her supporters and members of the Awami League have echoed these claims, expressing deep distrust of the interim administration and the judicial proceedings currently underway in Dhaka.

Amid the political and legal complexity surrounding Hasina’s fate, India’s official response has been restrained. Though New Delhi has not directly commented on the extradition request, the Ministry of External Affairs remarked on the death sentence ruling stating that India, as Bangladesh’s closest neighbor, remains committed to supporting peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability in Bangladesh. This careful wording reflects India’s cautious approach as it balances diplomatic relations with the interim government while being mindful of political sensitivities within Bangladesh and its own strategic interests.

Compounding the situation, Bangladesh is now preparing to seek the intervention of Interpol to aid in securing the return of Hasina and her former home minister. The Chief Prosecutor’s Office in Dhaka is reportedly assembling documentation to trigger Interpol’s mechanisms for international law enforcement cooperation. If Interpol notices are issued, India could face increased external pressure to act on Bangladesh’s requests, although extradition decisions would still depend on bilateral legal provisions and India’s political judgment.

There are, however, several legal and diplomatic considerations that India must navigate. Treaties often feature clauses allowing a requested state to refuse extradition if the underlying prosecutions are judged to be politically motivated or if the charges carry a risk of unfair trial or inhumane treatment. India will need to determine whether Hasina’s convictions fall into such categories, particularly given the circumstances of her ouster and claims of widespread political victimization by her supporters.

Moreover, the history of India–Bangladesh relations places additional weight on how New Delhi manages the situation. Sheikh Hasina was long viewed as a dependable ally by India, playing a critical role in strengthening economic integration and cross-border security cooperation, especially in countering insurgent activity in India’s northeastern region. A decision to extradite her could significantly alter political perceptions in Bangladesh and influence future bilateral engagements should political power shift again.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s interim government faces its own pressures in consolidating authority and legitimacy. As it seeks accountability for alleged human rights violations under the former government, its posture toward India and the extradition effort reflects both domestic expectations and the broader need to demonstrate judicial resolve.

The meeting between Khalilur Rahman and Ajit Doval subtly underscores the delicate interplay between diplomacy and legal process. With major security agendas like border management, counterterror measures, and maritime coordination at stake, the discussions aimed to ensure that the extradition issue does not overshadow broader cooperative frameworks that are essential to regional stability.

Yet, the political storyline remains unavoidable. As Bangladesh intensifies its pursuit of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition through bilateral channels and potentially via Interpol, India is expected to remain under close watch from the international community, regional observers, and political actors within Bangladesh. Every future meeting, statement, and diplomatic signal will likely be examined for indications of where India’s ultimate decision may lie.

In the coming months, the question of Hasina’s return could either evolve into a fulcrum for deeper strategic friction or be managed through careful diplomacy that allows both nations to safeguard their interests without destabilizing their long-standing partnership. For now, the Doval-Rahman meeting is a sign that dialogue continues, but the underlying tensions make the road ahead particularly complex.