Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for Foreign Affairs, said that the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other accused people currently in India requires political will alongside the judicial process.

She said Bangladesh has the political will to seek their extradition and India must also have the political will to do so.

She made the remarks while responding to journalists about recent comments by the Indian high commissioner at a press briefing held at the new building of the foreign ministry in the capital on Sunday.

Asked for her response to the Indian high commissioner’s reference to the legal process concerning India’s decision to provide shelter to Sheikh Hasina, Shama Obaed Islam said, “Of course, it’s a matter for the court; that’s fine. But political will is also a factor, political intention.”

She said, “Of course, we want India to focus on ensuring that the ongoing process to bring back the accused is expedited.”

Asked whether the provision in the extradition treaty allowing extradition to be refused in circumstances involving political considerations or fears for the life of the person concerned could pose an obstacle in this case, the state minister said such provisions are included in extradition treaties everywhere. It’s not a new provision in the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India.

Referring to Bangladesh’s laws and judicial process, she said, “There are laws in Bangladesh. There are courts here, and they are working independently. So they’ll decide what happens to the accused and what happens to those who have been convicted.”

Reiterating the need for political will from both countries in the extradition process, Shama Obaed Islam said, “But what we need is political will from both countries. We have it, and they must have it too.”