Dhaka: Bangladesh's interim government has said it will continue its efforts to bring deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back from India and will seek international intervention if necessary. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters at the Secretariat in Dhaka that if New Delhi refuses to return Hasina, it would constitute a violation of the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several of her former ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”.
"We have written a letter for extradition. If India does not extradite Sheikh Hasina, it will be a clear violation of the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh," Nazrul said in Dhaka. He added that Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) would take “necessary steps to address the matter within the international community”.
"We are doing everything we can. The government will continue all efforts to bring Hasina back. If necessary, international support will be sought," he said.
Earlier, India didn’t respond to Bangladesh’s request to extradite Hasina. The extradition request was made in the form of a note verbale, or unsigned diplomatic correspondence. It was sent by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to Ministry of External Affairs on December 23.