Sheikh Hasina's return to Bangladesh: India wants Dhaka to fulfil two conditions

The government of India has reportedly signaled a willingness to facilitate the return of Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh after more than two years of exile. Hasina, the former prime minister, left Bangladesh following a political crackdown and has been living abroad while her party, the Awami League, remains a major force in the country's politics. New Delhi’s interest in her return is linked to broader concerns about stability on its eastern border and the desire to maintain a cooperative relationship with a neighbor that shares a long, porous frontier.

According to a report by BBC Bangla, New Delhi has set two specific conditions that it expects the current Bangladeshi administration, led by Tarique Rahman, to meet before facilitating Hasina’s homecoming. The first condition calls for the Bangladesh army to arrange a flight that would bring Hasina back to Dhaka in a manner that respects diplomatic protocols. The second condition requires the authorities to guarantee her a genuine opportunity to appeal the death sentence that was imposed on her in absentia, a legal move that has drawn criticism from international human‑rights observers.

The outcome of these negotiations matters to Indian readers because Bangladesh’s internal stability directly influences cross-border trade, security cooperation and the management of migration flows that affect several Indian states. A smooth return of Hasina could restore a familiar diplomatic rhythm, potentially easing tensions over water sharing and border incidents that have periodically strained relations. Conversely, a failure to meet the conditions could lead to a prolonged political stalemate, increasing the risk of unrest that might spill over into areas where Indian security forces maintain a presence.