Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 8: India has extended the visa of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's former Prime Minister, who has been residing in Delhi since fleeing violent protests in August last year, according to sources. The extension coincides with escalating demands from Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, for her extradition.

Sources clarified that the visa extension is a procedural measure and does not equate to granting asylum, as India has no formal asylum policy. “This is purely a technical extension to facilitate her stay,” a source stated. Sheikh Hasina is reportedly living under strict security in a safehouse in Delhi.

The extradition request, formally submitted on December 23, accuses Hasina of involvement in violence and disappearances during the 2024 protests in Bangladesh, which left over 500 people dead. Additionally, Bangladesh's immigration department recently revoked 97 passports, including Hasina's, citing links to alleged enforced disappearances and killings during the unrest.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, a spokesperson for Yunus, stated that the passport cancellations were part of broader efforts to address accountability. “Passports of 22 individuals were revoked for enforced disappearances, while 75 others, including Sheikh Hasina, were implicated in the July killings,” he said during a press briefing.

India faces a complex diplomatic situation. While Sheikh Hasina’s extended stay has not immediately strained bilateral ties, Bangladesh’s extradition demand adds pressure. Critics argue the charges against Hasina are politically motivated, aimed at consolidating power as Bangladesh prepares for its next general election.

The situation underscores India’s precarious position in balancing its humanitarian stance and its relationship with Bangladesh amid rising political tensions in the neighboring country.