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Bangladesh is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring back convicted fugitives currently staying in India, Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed said on Wednesday.
She said Bangladesh had yet to receive any specific response from the Indian government, although Dhaka had learned that a legal process was also underway on the Indian side.
“We are continuing diplomatic communication to bring back the convicted fugitives,” Shama Obaed told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (September 16).
Responding to questions, she said the repatriation of convicted fugitives was an ongoing process and that the Foreign Ministry was taking necessary steps in accordance with existing laws and diplomatic procedures.
She said efforts were also underway under the extradition treaty to bring back former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister and others accused in killings during the July mass uprising who are currently in India. Correspondence between the two countries is also continuing, she added.
Asked about recent court verdicts against seven Awami League leaders and whether the ministry had taken steps to bring them back, Shama said the verdicts were delivered only recently.
“Once the Foreign Ministry receives all the official court documents, we will contact the Indian government through the appropriate process,” she said, adding that the accused would be brought back to face legal proceedings.
Regarding the progress of earlier letters seeking the return of former Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who are also in India, the state minister said diplomatic communication was continuing.
She reiterated that Bangladesh had not yet received any specific response from India but had learned that a legal process was also underway there.
“These efforts will continue until they can be brought back to Bangladesh,” she said.