Despite the extradition request, India extended Sheikh Hasina's visa, the Bangladesh government said.

India has extended the visa of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in the country since fleeing amid violent protests last August. The decision comes at a time when the interim government in Bangladesh has intensified its demand for Hasina's extradition. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Bangladesh's interim government said that the alleged extension of Sheikh Hasina's Indian visa has nothing to do with Dhaka's request to India for the former prime minister's extradition.

Foreign Office spokesman Rafiqul Alam, while talking to journalists, said that we have requested India to send Sheikh Hasina back as a Bangladeshi citizen. Her status in India has nothing to do with this request. This is not a matter of our consideration. Alam said that Dhaka does not have additional information, so we will not speculate.

Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic passport cancelled

Alam said he was asked to comment on media reports that Delhi had recently extended Hasina's visa while Bangladesh had canceled her diplomatic passport. He said when a Bangladeshi citizen's passport is canceled, the concerned country is informed through Bangladesh missions, and in such cases, the visa is not required.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh's interim government said it had canceled the passports of Hasina and 96 others for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killings in July.

Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August

77-year-old Sheikh Hasina has been taking refuge in India since August 5 last year after the coup in Bangladesh. Hasina came to India due to the fall of the government after massive protests led by students in Bangladesh.