Dhaka, Mar 13 (V7N) – Bangladesh has yet to receive a response from India regarding its diplomatic request for the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following her ouster on August 5 amid a mass student-public movement. Nearly three months have passed since the request was sent, but India remains silent on the matter.

Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, Director General and Spokesperson of the Public Diplomacy Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this statement during the weekly press briefing on Thursday (March 13).

The issue resurfaced after Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in a recent interview with an international media outlet, described Sheikh Hasina's statements from India as "dangerous for the country." When asked about the Foreign Ministry's stance on this remark, Rafiqul Alam responded, "We do not have the opportunity to make a statement after the Chief Advisor has spoken on the matter."

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s potential return and the next steps in case India continues to delay its response, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated, "The Chief Advisor has already given a direction on the next steps. However, we are still waiting for India's response."

A diplomatic letter was officially sent from the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in December last year, invoking the extradition agreement between the two countries. Since then, the Ministry of External Affairs in Dhaka has been waiting for India’s reply before determining the next course of action.

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