India Says Hasina Extradition Is a Legal Matter

India on Tuesday said there has been no change in its position regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, reiterating that any request for her extradition is a legal matter that will be handled in accordance with the law.

"There is no change in our approach to the matter. Any extradition issue is a legal matter, as you very well know, and it will be dealt with accordingly," Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters during a regular media briefing in New Delhi.

Jaiswal made the remarks in response to a question about Sheikh Hasina's recent interview, in which she said she hopes to return to Bangladesh in December this year.

Responding to another question on development cooperation with Bangladesh, the MEA spokesperson said India's development partnership with Bangladesh continues through mutual consultation between the two countries.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh's Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament that the government wants Sheikh Hasina extradited under the existing bilateral extradition agreement.

He said the former prime minister would be arrested immediately if she returned to Bangladesh, as she has already been convicted in several cases.

Referring to her legal status, the home minister said there would be no opportunity for her to surrender voluntarily because she is already a convicted person.

"If she returns, she will be arrested immediately, and the verdicts will be executed. If there is any scope for appeal, that will be determined by the court," Salahuddin Ahmed said.