A senior adviser in Bangladesh's interim government has warned that the country would strongly protest if India refuses to extradite ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina under the existing treaty between the two nations, according to media reports on Friday.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul's statement came shortly after Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others on Thursday. Hasina fled to India following large-scale anti-government protests that toppled her from power.

Speaking to a news channel, Nazrul emphasized that India is bound by the extradition treaty to return Hasina if the treaty is interpreted in good faith. The tribunal has ordered Hasina's appearance before the court by November 18.

Hasina, 77, arrived in India on August 5 amid escalating student protests over a controversial government job quota. She landed at Hindon airbase near Delhi and has since remained at an undisclosed location. India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated on Thursday that Hasina sought refuge for safety reasons and continues to stay in the country.

Bangladesh had previously indicated its intention to formally seek Hasina’s extradition once her trial began. Asif Nazrul reiterated that the interim government would push for her return as the legal process moves forward.

Meanwhile, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, accused India of sheltering a "killer and a criminal" by providing asylum to Hasina. The former prime minister faces nearly 200 charges, many related to deaths during the student protests. Violence following the fall of her government left over 1,000 dead since the unrest began in mid-July.

Bangladesh's interim government, which took power on August 8, has vowed to prosecute those involved in the killings through the ICT. Sheikh Hasina has not made any public appearances since fleeing Bangladesh.

A senior adviser in Bangladesh's interim government has warned that the country would strongly protest if India refuses to extradite ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina under the existing treaty between the two nations, according to media reports on Friday.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul's statement came shortly after Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others on Thursday. Hasina fled to India following large-scale anti-government protests that toppled her from power.

Speaking to a news channel, Nazrul emphasized that India is bound by the extradition treaty to return Hasina if the treaty is interpreted in good faith. The tribunal has ordered Hasina's appearance before the court by November 18.

Hasina, 77, arrived in India on August 5 amid escalating student protests over a controversial government job quota. She landed at Hindon airbase near Delhi and has since remained at an undisclosed location. India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated on Thursday that Hasina sought refuge for safety reasons and continues to stay in the country.

Bangladesh had previously indicated its intention to formally seek Hasina’s extradition once her trial began. Asif Nazrul reiterated that the interim government would push for her return as the legal process moves forward.

Meanwhile, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, accused India of sheltering a "killer and a criminal" by providing asylum to Hasina. The former prime minister faces nearly 200 charges, many related to deaths during the student protests. Violence following the fall of her government left over 1,000 dead since the unrest began in mid-July.

Bangladesh's interim government, which took power on August 8, has vowed to prosecute those involved in the killings through the ICT. Sheikh Hasina has not made any public appearances since fleeing Bangladesh.