Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has stated that the government formally approached India with a request to return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face legal proceedings in her home country. However, India has yet to respond positively to that request.

The adviser made these remarks during an interaction with reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Monday evening.

Responding to a question on developments related to Hasina’s repatriation, Touhid Hossain said, “There’s nothing new at this stage. A formal request has been sent to India to send her back for trial, but we have not received any affirmative reply. Bangladesh is still waiting. In the meantime, legal proceedings have already commenced. Whether or not the accused is present does not stop the trial.”

When asked if international institutions might be involved to facilitate Hasina’s return, the adviser said, “That could be considered if necessary, but at the moment I don't believe such measures are required.”

Touhid Hossain also addressed concerns about continued border push-ins from India, saying, “We’ve already taken back people after confirming their Bangladeshi citizenship based on lists provided by India. Despite this, pushbacks continue, which is unfortunate. We have raised our objections.”

Asked how Bangladesh plans to respond if the situation doesn’t improve, he said, “Clearly, we are not going to resolve this through conflict. Diplomacy is the only available path. We are continuing that effort, and while results are not yet visible, we remain hopeful of progress.