Web Desk: Bangladesh has asked India to clarify its position over exiled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned virtual address from New Delhi, warning that allowing a fugitive to engage in political activities could undermine recent efforts to improve bilateral relations.
The comments marked Dhaka’s first official response to Hasina’s scheduled appearance at an Aug. 5 event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCCSA) in New Delhi. The event coincides with the second anniversary of the student-led uprising that forced her from office.
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said her government wanted to preserve the recent momentum in ties with India but expected New Delhi to clarify its position on the matter.
“We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don’t want that progress to be affected,” Islam told reporters late on Monday. “India has to be clear about its stance.”
The FCCSA said Hasina, 78, will address the gathering via video link alongside her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and other speakers. The organisation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Dhaka’s concerns.
Islam said Bangladesh had repeatedly conveyed its objections to India over Hasina and other leaders of the Awami League making political statements while residing on Indian soil.
“We do not want India-Bangladesh relations to be harmed by statements from fugitive accused individuals,” she said, adding that Indian authorities had previously indicated they did not expect fugitives to conduct political activities from their territory.
Although she acknowledged that the planned event was not organised by the Indian government, Islam said Bangladesh would pursue the matter through diplomatic channels if necessary.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately comment.
The dispute comes as Bangladesh continues to seek Hasina’s extradition from India, where she has lived since fleeing the country in August 2024 after weeks of deadly protests that brought an end to her government.
Dhaka has filed multiple criminal cases against the former prime minister and, in 2025, a Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 crackdown on protesters. The United Nations estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed during the unrest.
Hasina has rejected the verdict as legally invalid and, in an interview with Reuters, said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December despite the charges against her.
Relations between the South Asian neighbours have remained strained since Hasina’s removal from power. However, both governments have recently signalled a willingness to rebuild ties through increased diplomatic engagement and cooperation following the formation of the government led by Tarique Rahman after February’s elections.
Dhaka’s latest remarks underscore the sensitivity surrounding Hasina’s continued political profile in exile, even as both countries seek to stabilise relations after nearly two years of diplomatic tensions.
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