Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wajid was sentenced to death in absentia on 17 November 2025. The verdict specifically pointed out her undeniable role in ordering a brutal crackdown on student-led protests that resulted in up to 1,400 deaths the previous year.
The Special Tribunal, which awarded a sentence to Hasina for crimes against humanity, was actually created by her with an obvious ill intent to penalise her political opponents. In a way, the verdict is a taste of her own medicine for Hasina Wajid. Her tenure as PM is known for manipulating unfair trials, and most of the victims belonged predominantly to Jamat-e-Islami (JI) and Bangla National Party (BNP). After massive protests and a powerful public uprising, Hasina Wajid had to resign and fled to India in August 2024. Reportedly, she is still residing there in self-exile.
This death sentence has added more strains in Indo-Bangladesh ties amid problematic asylum of Hasina Wajid in India, and the possibility is higher that the next Bangladeshi government after elections would be least aligned with the vested interests of New Delhi.
The ongoing political instability and tensions in Bangladesh following the sentencing could create more security challenges for India.
Since the overthrow of Prime Minister Hasina’s government, hundreds of innocent civilians have been arbitrarily executed, while communities living along borders are in a constant state of fear, facing arbitrary arrests and forcible displacement. Under the pretext of curbing “illegal immigration,” the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has systematically targeted Bangladeshi citizens in shoot-to-kill operations.
The Muslims and minorities are specifically targeted, falsely labelled as “Bangladeshi citizens,” and coerced into fleeing their homes. At least three Bangladeshi nationals have been extra-judicially killed, which reflects absolute disregard for international human and refugee rights on the part of India. These actions have delivered a chilling message that India cares least about the sovereignty and collective will of the Bangladeshi masses. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has formally requested India to extradite Hasina.
India has confirmed receiving the request but has not publicly commented on the matter. The 2013 extradition treaty between the two countries generally allows for extradition but makes exceptions for offences of a “political character,” though murder is not considered such an offence. Granting or denying the request will have significant political ramifications. Hasina’s Awami League government was a key ally of India.
Unlike the Hasina regime, the interim government is not bent in favour of India, leading to a potential shift in regional dynamics and an increase in anti-India sentiment that has been present in the grieved Bangladeshi populace. According to verbal claims, India values a stable Bangladesh for economic and security reasons, but in reality, New Delhi has always treated Dhaka as its colony or satellite state amid traditional rivalry with Pakistan and China’s growing presence in the region.
The ongoing political instability and tensions in Bangladesh following the sentencing could create more security challenges for India. The crisis could disrupt growing trade ties between the two nations. Indian companies with operations in Bangladesh may face uncertainty and disruptions for indefinite period.
India’s decision to harbour Hasina continues to fuel the existing perception among the Bengali masses that New Delhi interferes in their internal politics. This could further damage bilateral relations. In essence, the situation has created a diplomatic tightrope for India, as its handling of Hasina’s asylum and the extradition request will directly influence its future relationship with its crucial eastern neighbour.
This exhibition of hegemonic aggression and hubristic policy highlights New Delhi’s intent to dominate and intimidate all neighbours through terror, coercion, and lawless enforcement. The cumulative effect is a severe strain on Indo-Bangladesh ties, a deepening humanitarian crisis for border communities, and an unambiguous display of India’s authoritarian and expansionist mindset.
The writer is a student.