Indian External Affairs Secretary Vikram Misri has said that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India is a “judicial and legal matter” that must be addressed through dialogue and consultation between the two governments, underscoring a cautious and procedural stance from New Delhi.

Speaking at a view-exchange meeting with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, Misri said: “We are reviewing the issues. We are interested in working together with the Bangladesh authorities on these matters. I do not think it would be constructive to say anything beyond this at this time.”

The event was also attended by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh & Myanmar) B Shyam, DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun.

A sensitive diplomatic matter

Misri’s comments come amid growing questions about the legal and diplomatic status of Sheikh Hasina, who left Bangladesh for India on August 5 last year amid student-led mass protests that toppled her government.

The Bangladesh interim administration has since sent a diplomatic note (note verbale) requesting her extradition, but officials in Dhaka have confirmed that no positive response has yet been received.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said last week that Dhaka has sought Hasina’s return “to face trial,” adding that “the trial process has started; whether anyone comes or not, the trial will not stop.”

India has so far refrained from commenting directly on the extradition request.

Misri’s latest remarks mark the first official acknowledgement from New Delhi that the issue is under review — but firmly placed within the legal and diplomatic domain, not the political one.

India stresses neutrality and democracy

Addressing broader questions on India’s position regarding Bangladesh’s political developments, Misri iterated that New Delhi does not favour any particular party and supports “a free, fair, inclusive and participatory election” at the earliest possible time.

“We should dispel the perception that we are biased towards a particular party or that we are communicating with one and ignoring the other,” he said.

“We want the mandate of the people of Bangladesh to be expressed as soon as possible and a democratically elected government to be formed.”

He further emphasised that India will engage with whichever government emerges from the electoral process: “We remain ready to work with any government that is elected with the mandate of the people. There is nothing more to say beyond that.”

When asked whether India would support efforts to reinstate Sheikh Hasina, the External Affairs Secretary replied, “We only want the people of Bangladesh to have an opportunity to express their mandate democratically.”

‘Peace, progress, stability’ central to India’s approach

Iterating India’s long-term interest in regional security, Misri said, “India has a significant stake in the peace, progress, stability, and development of Bangladesh. All these are linked to regional stability, and we attach the highest importance to that, not just for ourselves but because it serves our mutual interests.”

He added that while some issues naturally arise in any bilateral relationship, the foundation of India–Bangladesh ties remains strong, rooted in “shared cultural, linguistic, and historical bonds.”

Continued engagement with the interim government

Despite the political turbulence following Hasina’s ouster, Misri said India continues to maintain dialogue with Dhaka’s interim government, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first world leaders to congratulate Professor Muhammad Yunus after he assumed charge as Chief Adviser.

“Even after the events of July and August last year, that hasn’t prevented us from working with or engaging the authorities,” he said.

Broader regional perspective

In response to a question about Bangladesh’s relations with Pakistan, Misri declined to comment, saying, “I would not discuss Bangladesh’s relationship with a third country,” but added that India values its partnership with Bangladesh as “time-tested and people-first.”

He concluded by calling for restraint in public statements and actions that might “disturb the bilateral atmosphere,” urging both sides to continue working toward a “conducive environment for stronger future engagement.”

A 23-member DCAB delegation is currently visiting India at the invitation of the Indian government as part of regular diplomatic exchanges between the two neighbours.