New Delhi: Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has sought a new passport and national identity card from the high commission of her country in New Delhi, a sign that the ousted leader is considering going back home next month.
In a letter to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday, Hasina’s lawyer highlighted that “in view of the reported revocation of her [Hasina’s] existing Bangladeshi passport and National Identity Card by the Interim Government,” the former prime minister “respectfully requests” that the “necessary steps” be taken to issue new documents.
“Our request is made on the basis of her Bangladeshi nationality in accordance with any obligations arising under the laws of Bangladesh as well as any applicable obligations arising under international human rights instruments. We would be grateful if the High Commission could examine this matter and advise us of the necessary formalities and documentation required to expeditiously process the applications,” the letter seen by ThePrint added.
The letter. addressed to Acting High Commissioner Preeti Rahman by London-based Matrix Chambers, comes as Hasina has vowed to return to Dhaka next month. Even as her date of return remains unclear, her office has taken steps to ensure that she will be able to complete the formalities necessary to travel to Bangladesh.
Hasina fled Dhaka for Delhi on 5 August 2024, following two months of student-led demonstrations sparked by a 30 per cent quota in government jobs for families of the 1971 Liberation War. Since then, Hasina has remained in the Indian capital.
In September, Hasina had told ThePrint that she is returning to the country to fight the legal cases against her, as “Bangladesh is passing through a grave national crisis”. Her party, the Awami League, was banned from participating in the general elections held earlier this year, while Hasina and a number of senior party leaders remain in exile or imprisoned.
For Hasina, a return to Bangladesh will lead to the former Prime Minister fighting a number of pending legal cases against her. The International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) sentenced Hasina to death last year for committing crimes against humanity. The Hasina-led government had attempted to violently suppress the student demonstrators, which left hundreds dead.
Hasina’s continued stay in the Indian capital remains a major irritant in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka. During Hasina’s rule (2009 – 2024) the two countries enjoyed a close partnership, which led to criticism in Dhaka. Following her ouster and her flight to New Delhi, ties between India and Bangladesh have cratered.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was expected to travel to New Delhi in August 2026, but the visit was cancelled following Hasina’s press conference on 5 August. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh continues to attack the Tarique-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from New Delhi, as the fortunes of her own party continue deteriorating.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi had last month highlighted that New Delhi had little choice in the matter, when Hasina’s aircraft sought “landing permission” on her flight from Dhaka. Trivedi pointed out that Hasina was the “Prime Minister” as she left Dhaka, India had a duty as a “neighbour to accept the reality of life”.
India has maintained that the invitation for Prime Minister Rahman to visit India stands, and that both sides are engaging on the possible dates of such a visit. Nevertheless, despite efforts taken by New Delhi in Dhaka in the early months of this year to stabilise ties, a diplomatic chill has engulfed the India-Bangladesh relationship since August.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
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