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India has told its Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India, will not be allowed to conduct any political activities using Indian territory.
The information was disclosed in a report released by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Thursday (July 30). The committee, chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, discussed various aspects of India-Bangladesh relations.
Indian media outlets The Times of India and The Indian Express reported the findings on Friday (July 31).
According to the report, Sheikh Hasina has not been provided with any political platform in India and will not be allowed to make political statements or carry out political activities from Indian soil. The Indian government is strictly adhering to this policy.
India Reviewing Bangladesh’s Extradition Request: The report said Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina is being examined by the relevant Indian authorities in accordance with the country’s existing laws and established procedures.
The parliamentary committee noted that Sheikh Hasina has been allowed to remain in India primarily in line with the country’s humanitarian tradition of providing shelter to individuals facing threats to their lives and security. At the same time, it recommended that Bangladesh’s extradition request be considered within the applicable legal framework.
Committee Urges Restoration of Visa Services: The parliamentary committee expressed concern over the limited availability of Indian visa services in Bangladesh. It said restoring normal visa operations was essential to maintaining people-to-people contact between the two countries.
The committee recommended gradually resuming full-scale visa services in Bangladesh as the situation improves. It also advised India’s Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with security agencies and establish bilateral consular mechanisms to resolve visa-related problems.
According to the report, India withdrew its consular staff from Bangladesh on security grounds following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024. Since then, visa services in Bangladesh have been operating on a limited scale.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said around 1,500 visas are currently being issued each day through five centres in Bangladesh, with approximately 80% being medical visas. A decision to increase the number of visa centres and visas will be taken after reviewing the security situation.
Push for Renewal of Ganges Water-Sharing Treaty: The parliamentary committee also recommended that talks on renewing the 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganges Water-Sharing Treaty begin soon, noting that the agreement is set to expire this year.
According to the committee, the renewal process should take into account updated river-flow data, the impact of climate change, and the views of the governments of India’s West Bengal and Bihar states.
The report also stressed the security of Bangladesh’s minority communities, recommending that India’s Ministry of External Affairs give the issue priority in diplomatic discussions with Bangladesh.
