Bangladesh has formally asked India to send back the former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, to face prosecution, setting the stage for a likely diplomatic standoff between the neighbours at a time when their ties are already at their worst in years. Ms Wazed has been living in exile in India since early August when she fled Dhaka amid mass protests against her 15-year-long rule. Since then, her presence in India — from where she has occasionally issued public statements critical of the interim administration of the Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus, that replaced her government — has been a major source of tension between New Delhi and Dhaka. The extradition request — even though it is only a Note Verbale that New Delhi may choose not to respond to — may test Indian diplomacy, forcing it into making difficult choices between maintaining its credibility with allies and trying to salvage relations with an important neighbour. Bangladesh wants to try the former prime minister on charges of murder, genocide, crimes against humanity and, especially, for the crackdown on protesters against her rule when they campaigned for Ms Wazed’s ouster this year. Hundreds of protesters were killed in these clashes with security forces. Ms Wazed’s critics also accuse her government of forcibly disappearing hundreds of political opponents and dissidents while she was in power. Ms Wazed has denied all the allegations against her.

Mr Yunus had indicated last month that Dhaka would seek Ms Wazed’s extradition, so New Delhi has not been caught unawares. Yet that does not make this moment any easier for India. Ms Wazed was a close friend and a critical partner for New Delhi spanning decades. Bilateral relations flourished under her. If India, which facilitatedher escape from Dhaka when it became clear that she could not continue in office any longer, now forces her out of the country, it loses credibility with other leaders and allies that will struggle to trust New Delhi’s friendship in the future. New Delhi is also wary that Bangladesh’s current leaders might try to legally accuse India of complicity in some of the crimes Ms Wazed is accused of. Rejecting the extradition request — which New Delhi is allowed to do under their prisoner-exchange treaty — would further cement the anti-India sentiments that dominate Bangladesh today. India has tried reaching out to Mr Yunus, including through the recent Dhaka visit by the foreign secretary, Vikram Misri. It must gauge whether Bangladesh too is keen to resurrect ties. Ms Wazed’s future could well shape the course of India-Bangladesh ties.