Overview
- India’s external affairs minister said the circumstances under which Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi would factor into what happens next but that the decision rests with her.
- Hasina has been in India since August 5 last year after her 15-year tenure ended during nationwide violence that left hundreds dead and thousands injured.
- He pressed for a fair election in Bangladesh, saying India prefers a credible democratic process and expressing confidence that ties could improve under such an outcome.
- A special tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced the 78-year-old to death in absentia last month for alleged crimes against humanity linked to a crackdown on student-led protests.
- Bangladesh has asked India to extradite Hasina following the verdict, and New Delhi has noted the judgment while stressing its commitment to peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in Bangladesh.