Bangladesh’s demand for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition has placed India in a delicate diplomatic position. Dhaka wants Ms. Hasina to return to face charges related to the student uprising, while India must balance its earlier close ties with the deposed leader against its relations with the present Bangladeshi government. The best option is neither immediate extradition nor outright refusal, but a strictly legal and diplomatic approach. India should examine the request under the extradition treaty and seek assurances of a fair trial, due process and protection from political persecution, while maintaining dialogue with Dhaka. This would protect India’s credibility, avoid confrontation and preserve long-term bilateral relations.
R.S. Narula,
Patiala, Punjab
BRICS is a multilateral organisation and it would be beneficial for Bangladesh to participate in the summit at the highest level. However, linking its participation to Sheikh Hasina’s extradition may not be a smart foreign policy approach. As neighbours linked by civilisational ties and practical considerations, such as a shared border and water-sharing arrangements, it would be in the national interests of both India and Bangladesh to set aside sensitive issues such as Ms. Hasina’s extradition and move forward with their bilateral and multilateral relations.
Kosaraju Chandramouli,
Hyderabad
Belated search for peace
There is talk of India exploring ways to contribute to ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. One cannot help but wonder why it has taken so long. The war has caused an enormous loss of life, destruction and suffering. What is particularly distressing for Indians is the reported recruitment of Indian nationals who went to Russia in search of employment but were subsequently drawn into military service and sent to the war front. If Indians were deceived or coerced into fighting a foreign war, should not the Indian government have taken a much stronger position and demanded accountability? For over a decade, India has repeatedly projected itself as a country capable of speaking to both sides. Yet, when there are signals that India is seeking ideas that could contribute to ending the conflict, the initiative sounds rather belated.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai
Eiffel Tower ‘incident’
The revolutionaries of 1789 articulated their demands around three core principles: liberty, equality and fraternity. Yet, we are witnessing a troubling departure from these very ideals in the controversy surrounding the recent protest at the Eiffel Tower — and the allegation of asking women staff to make themselves invisible. The incident calls for deeper introspection. Even as societies aspire to progress and global leadership, institutional practices can continue to perpetuate attitudes that overlook systemic gender discrimination.
Rishika Singh,
Dhanbad, Jharkhand