The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is likely to review and potentially scrap several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with India, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Touhid Hossain. The move will be considered if the agreements are deemed not beneficial for Bangladesh.

Minister Hossain, speaking on Sunday, emphasized that there has been no official communication yet regarding the review process. However, he indicated that the new administration is assessing the previous government’s foreign policies, especially those perceived to have favored India unduly.

Sources within the interim government suggest that the new administration believes former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power on August 5 and fled to India, had a particularly close relationship with India. They allege that during her tenure, Hasina extended several favors to India, which were reflected in the signing of the MoUs.

During her state visit to India in June 2024, Hasina’s government signed a total of ten MoUs with India—seven new agreements and three renewals. These agreements were concluded after delegation-level talks between the two countries held at Hyderabad House.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s current status, Minister Hossain mentioned that the government might seek her extradition from India if deemed necessary. He highlighted that Bangladesh had already canceled Hasina’s red passport and indicated that extradition could be pursued based on the legal cases filed against her.

Indian government sources stated that they would consider any formal request for Hasina’s extradition if such a request is made. For now, they believe the interim government in Bangladesh is still in its early stages and may evolve its stance on various issues over time.