India has said that the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be handled through existing legal procedures and agreements between the two countries. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the matter is legal in nature and will be addressed accordingly. Meanwhile, India has advised that questions regarding Hasina’s application for a new passport and national identity card should be directed to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

Jaiswal made the remarks on Tuesday (November 10) while responding to questions from journalists during the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ regular weekly briefing.

A journalist asked whether Sheikh Hasina’s reported application for a new passport and national identity card, which Bangladesh had reportedly rejected, could be discussed during a possible meeting between the two countries on consular services.

In response, Jaiswal said that people need travel documents to travel. He suggested that Hasina’s application could be viewed in that context. However, he described the matter as a technical issue.

Addressing the question of extradition, the spokesperson made India's position clear, saying, “This is a legal matter and will be dealt with accordingly.”

Another journalist asked whether New Delhi could play a role through discussions or an understanding between India and Bangladesh if Sheikh Hasina wanted to return to her home country as a Bangladeshi citizen.

Jaiswal said the Bangladesh High Commission would be the most appropriate authority to answer such questions. He added that the commission would be better positioned to explain Bangladesh’s political position on the issue.

When asked about the latest discussions between New Delhi and Dhaka regarding Bangladesh’s extradition request, Jaiswal repeated India's previous position, stressing that the matter would be resolved in accordance with the law.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina’s lawyers sent a letter to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday, seeking a new passport and national identity card for her. According to the letter obtained by Reuters, the application represents an important step in her reported plan to return to Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since the fall of her long-standing government following the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024. Since then, the Bangladesh government has made multiple formal requests to India seeking her extradition.

Hasina has reportedly expressed plans to return to Bangladesh in December. However, her potential return remains dependent on several factors, including the extradition process, travel documents and the country's current political situation.

The suspension of political activities of the Awami League has also added another layer of political and legal uncertainty surrounding her possible return.

Although India's latest statement emphasizes the importance of legal procedures, it has not provided any specific timeline or details regarding the extradition process. As a result, the positions taken by Dhaka and New Delhi in the coming days are likely to play a crucial role in determining Sheikh Hasina's future.