Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that India acted responsibly and with compassion by not pushing former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to return immediately, stressing that humanitarian values must come before political pressure.

Speaking on the issue, Tharoor said Sheikh Hasina has been a long-time ally and friend of India and deserved safety while legal and diplomatic aspects are examined in detail. He underlined that extradition is not a simple decision and involves complex treaties, legal clauses and exceptions that require careful study.

Tharoor added that such sensitive matters should be handled calmly by the government, allowing time to assess all legal implications. According to him, extending protection to a trusted regional partner reflects India’s humanitarian approach and diplomatic maturity.

His remarks come at a time when India-Bangladesh relations are under strain following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka. The incident triggered widespread unrest and anti-India protests across parts of Bangladesh, adding to the country’s already volatile political atmosphere. Hadi was linked to last year’s July uprising, which eventually led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Amid the protests, the Bangladesh government announced the suspension of visa services in India after demonstrations were held outside Bangladeshi diplomatic missions. The situation further worsened after another violent incident in Mymensingh, where Dipu Chandra Das, a young Hindu man, was lynched. The killing sparked anger among minority communities and human rights groups, raising concerns over law and order.

In a major political development, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka after 17 years in exile. His arrival is being seen as a turning point in Bangladesh politics following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster during last year’s mass protests.