By Sheikh Arif (Dhaka Bureau)
The Bangladesh government has expressed deep indignation and dissatisfaction over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina- currently living in exile in India- being allowed to address the media in New Delhi. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night, it was stated that such an incident is deeply painful for the people of Bangladesh and poses a severe obstacle to the efforts to rebuild friendly and cordial relations between Bangladesh and India.
The statement highlighted that allowing this political exchange on Indian soil, precisely on the second anniversary of the July Revolution, is a supreme disregard for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and a grave insult to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the student-led mass uprising.
Dhaka Agitated on the Anniversary of the July Revolution
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India by helicopter following the July 2024 mass uprising, addressed an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC) in New Delhi via video link, where she reiterated her plans to return in December 2026. Dhaka alleged that during the event, she and her associates made highly hate-filled statements against the state of Bangladesh and its people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that New Delhi had been cautioned and alerted in advance about the potential impact such a public event could have on Bangladesh-India bilateral relations. Dhaka expressed deep regret that the event was permitted despite these prior warnings.
‘Upholding the spirit of the July Revolution, our people have firmly resolved that our nation will never return to the dark days of fascism, and Bangladesh will never become a ‘client state’- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh.
Extradition Treaty and Diplomatic Tensions
Dhaka has repeatedly requested the return of Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity, incitement, and her role in suppressing the July-August 2024 movement. However, New Delhi has yet to respond positively to this formal demand for her handover under the 2013 Bangladesh-India Extradition Treaty.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh reiterated that Dhaka always seeks a constructive, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking relationship with New Delhi based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and national dignity. However, providing a political platform to a fugitive and convicted criminal undermines that objective.
India’s Position
Prior to Bangladesh’s response, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, clarified last Tuesday that the Indian government had no involvement whatsoever with the media interaction. He stated that it was an event organized by a private media organization, and the Indian government does not endorse or approve any views expressed therein.
Nevertheless, amid ongoing efforts to rebuild relations between the two countries following the change of government in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina’s direct address to the international media has created renewed discomfort in diplomatic ties between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Sheikh Arif: Panel Editor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
