Bangladesh Seeks Clarification from India Over Hasina’s Planned Virtual Address

Reuters

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh has asked India to clarify its position regarding an upcoming virtual address by exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from New Delhi, warning that allowing political activities by a fugitive could negatively affect improving bilateral relations, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

"We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don't want that progress to be affected," Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters late on Monday, according to Reuters.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCCSA) said that Hasina, 78, will deliver a virtual address at the New Delhi event via video link, alongside her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other speakers.

Islam said Bangladesh had repeatedly expressed its concerns to India over Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders making political statements while residing on Indian territory.

"We do not want India-Bangladesh relations to be harmed by statements from fugitive accused individuals," she said, adding that India had previously indicated it did not expect fugitives to engage in political activities from its territory.

The remarks marked Dhaka’s first official response to Hasina’s planned participation in an online event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi on 5 August, commemorating the second anniversary of the student-led uprising that ended her government.

The issue comes as Bangladesh continues to seek Hasina’s extradition from India, where she has been residing since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024. Despite facing multiple legal cases, Hasina told Reuters in an interview that she intends to return to Bangladesh in December.

While stressing that the event was not organised by the Indian government, Islam said Dhaka would raise the issue through diplomatic channels if deemed necessary.

Relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained since Sheikh Hasina was removed from power. However, both sides have recently indicated a willingness to restore ties through increased engagement and cooperation following the formation of Tarique Rahman’s government after February’s election.

Hasina has remained in India since her government was ousted following weeks of deadly protests. Bangladesh has since requested her extradition, and in 2025 she was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 crackdown, which the United Nations estimated resulted in the deaths of up to 1,400 people. Hasina has rejected the verdict, describing it as legally invalid.




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