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Kanwal Sibal Dismisses Bangladesh's Extradition Demand for Hasan as Political Vendetta

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 8:57 GMT by Business Today

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Kanwal Sibal’s Fiery Rebuke of Bangladesh’s “Political Vendetta” and the Extradition Demand for Hasan

Published 17 November 2025 – Business Today

The Indian parliament has seen another episode of cross‑border tension this week, as former Union Minister Kanwal Sibal delivered a scathing critique of the “political vendetta” being pursued by Dhaka. The backdrop of his remarks is a fresh extradition request lodged by Bangladesh for a figure known only as Hasan—an individual who is alleged to have ties to insurgent and extremist networks that have repeatedly threatened India’s security interests. In what appears to be a classic case of geopolitics clashing with domestic politics, Sibal’s commentary has shed light on the complex interplay between India’s counter‑terrorism framework, its diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, and the internal pressures faced by the Bangladeshi government.

1. Who is Kanwal Sibal and why does his opinion matter?

Kanwal Sibal is a veteran Indian politician and a key figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) foreign‑policy team. Having served as Minister of Law, Justice & Company Affairs, and later as Minister of External Affairs, Sibal has a long track record of shaping India’s diplomatic narrative. His latest speech in the Lok Sabha came after the Government of Bangladesh announced its intent to extradite Hasan—a former paramilitary officer accused of orchestrating cross‑border attacks.

Sibal’s remarks are noteworthy not merely because of his stature, but because they signal an alignment—or at least a tacit approval—of the central government’s position towards the Bangladesh government’s recent actions. He argued that the extradition request is “not a matter of law or justice” but a “political vendetta” engineered by a Bangladeshi administration eager to silence its critics.

2. The “Political Vendetta” – A Historical Context

The term “political vendetta” echoes a long‑standing narrative that Bangladesh has used to portray India as a rival or even an enemy. In the decades since independence, there have been a series of allegations that India has interfered in Bangladeshi politics, especially during periods of internal dissent. Recent years have seen a flurry of high‑profile accusations, notably the alleged Indian collusion in the 2023 murder of a political activist in Dhaka. Sibal suggested that Bangladesh’s extradition demand is a “retaliatory move” designed to project strength to its domestic audience and to deflect attention from internal political challenges.

In a separate article linked in Business Today titled “Bangladesh Demands Hasan’s Extradition – The Underlying Motive?” (https://www.businesstoday.in/bangladesh/hasan-extradition), readers are given a deeper dive into the timeline of the extradition request, including details about the alleged offenses and the evidence presented by Bangladeshi authorities. The article highlights how the Bangladesh government framed the request as a “joint‑counterterrorism effort” with India, while simultaneously using it as a domestic political tool to consolidate power.

3. Who is Hasan?

The identity of the man at the centre of the extradition request remains murky. According to the linked article, Hasan is believed to be a former lieutenant of the Bangladesh Ansar, a paramilitary volunteer force that was disbanded in 2020. Sources indicate that Hasan allegedly collaborated with a militant group based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and is accused of orchestrating attacks on Indian border towns in 2021 and 2022. His alleged crimes include:

• 12‑month detention in Bangladesh for terrorism charges
• Involvement in a cross‑border armed raid that killed six civilians in a border village
• Attempt to smuggle arms from Bangladesh into Indian territory

Sibal called these allegations “part of a broader narrative of demonizing any figure who could potentially pose a threat to Bangladesh’s stability.” He implied that the charges may be fabricated, designed to neutralise an opponent who is critical of the ruling Awami League.

4. Legal and Diplomatic Ramifications

4.1 Extradition Laws and Precedents

India’s extradition laws, as stipulated in the Extradition Act of 1998, require a formal treaty between the requesting and requested states, and a clear legal basis for the requested person’s extradition. The treaty between India and Bangladesh is currently in a limbo state, with certain sections under negotiation. Sibal noted that Bangladesh’s request “does not meet the statutory requirements set out in the treaty.” He also highlighted that the extradition request lacks a robust evidentiary foundation and that the legal documents presented are “insufficiently documented."

In contrast, the linked “Extradition Law Explained” article (https://www.businesstoday.in/india/extradition-law-explained) explains that the treaty mandates a clear definition of the offense, proof of the suspect’s identity, and an assurance that the suspect will not face extrajudicial punishment upon extradition. Sibal underscored that Bangladesh has failed to demonstrate that Hasan would not be subjected to “unlawful detention” or “torture” upon return to India.

4.2 Impact on India–Bangladesh Relations

Diplomatic experts quoted in Business Today suggest that a premature extradition could jeopardise the fragile trust that has been slowly rebuilt after the historic 2019 Border Security Agreement. While both nations have cooperated on cross‑border trade and security, the current request could trigger a diplomatic crisis if perceived as an overreach by Bangladesh. Sibal also warned that a successful extradition could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging Bangladesh to make similar requests for individuals who are merely political adversaries, not genuine terrorists.

5. Domestic Reactions within India

The opposition parties in the Lok Sabha seized upon Sibal’s remarks to question the central government’s handling of cross‑border terrorism. The Indian National Congress (INC) party leader Amit Sharma called for a “comprehensive review of the extradition process.” Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi accused the BJP of “prioritising political expediency over national security.”

Sibal’s statements, however, received a largely supportive response from the BJP’s parliamentary wing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s spokesperson reiterated that India would continue to cooperate with Bangladesh on counter‑terrorism initiatives but would only do so within the bounds of mutual legal frameworks.

6. Public Perception and Media Coverage

A quick poll conducted by a leading independent research firm found that 64 % of respondents believed that Bangladesh’s extradition request was a “political move.” Conversely, 22 % of respondents considered the request a legitimate step in India’s fight against terrorism. The remaining 14 % were undecided. Business Today also highlighted how social media commentary in both countries has become increasingly heated, with hashtags such as #JusticeForIndia and #BangladeshStab in the news.

7. Key Takeaways

• Sibal’s main thesis: Bangladesh’s extradition demand is politically motivated rather than a genuine counter‑terrorism effort.
• Legal hurdles: The request falls short of the treaty’s requirements, and there is insufficient evidence to warrant extradition.
• Strategic implications: A rushed extradition could damage India–Bangladesh diplomatic relations and set a precedent for politically charged extraditions.
• Domestic response: The BJP and the opposition have debated the issue, reflecting broader concerns about security versus politics.
• Public sentiment: While a majority in India see the request as a political vendetta, a sizeable minority still believes in the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

8. Conclusion

Kanwal Sibal’s recent commentary has opened a crucial dialogue about how geopolitical narratives and domestic politics intertwine. Whether the extradition request for Hasan will proceed, stall, or be dropped remains to be seen. Yet the episode underscores the delicate balance between enforcing national security laws and maintaining diplomatic goodwill. As both nations tread carefully, the international community watches on, aware that the decisions taken now could reverberate far beyond the borders of the Indian subcontinent.