Bangladesh seeks India’s clarification on Hasina’s statement in New Delhi

Bangladesh has asked India to clarify the circumstances of exiled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s scheduled virtual address from New Delhi, warning that allowing political activities by a fugitive could damage developing bilateral relations.

“This is the first official reaction from Bangladesh to Hasina’s planned appearance at a Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia event in New Delhi on August 5, marking the second anniversary of the student-led uprising that brought down her government.

The problem comes as Dhaka continues to pursue Hasina’s extradition from India, where she has stayed since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. Hasina told Reuters in an interview that she planned to return to Bangladesh in December despite many accusations against her.We are working with India—with a forward-looking perspective. We don’t want that development to be impeded,” Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters late Monday. India must be clear about its position.

Hasina, 78, will attend the New Delhi ceremony over a video link, along with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other speakers, the FCCSA said. The Bangladesh government concerns were not immediately addressed by the club in response to demands for comment.

Islam stated, “We have already expressed our concern to India several times about political utterances by Hasina and other Awami League leaders from Indian soil.”We do not want India-Bangladesh relations to be affected by statements made by fugitive accused persons,” she added, adding that India had before signalled it would not expect fugitives to engage in political activities from its territory.

Dhaka will proceed to diplomatic channels if necessary, Islam added, but stressed that the event was not organised by the Indian government.

There was no quick comment from India’s foreign ministry.

Relations between the neighbours have been tense since Hasina’s fall from power, however both sides have recently indicated a readiness to restore ties through greater engagement and cooperation since Tarique Rahman’s government assumed office after February’s election.

Hasina has been in India since her administration was ousted after weeks of deadly unrest. Since then Bangladesh has pursued her extradition and in 2025 she was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity over the 2024 crackdown, which the United Nations claimed killed up to 1,400 people. Hasina described the verdict as legally invalid.