NEW DELHI — Bangladesh sharply criticized India after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took part in a media interaction in New Delhi, saying the event was an affront to Bangladesh's sovereignty and warning that permitting political activity by the exiled leader could further strain relations between the neighboring countries.
Hasina, who has lived in India since fleeing Bangladesh following the student-led uprising that toppled her government in August 2024, addressed journalists at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia on Wednesday. During the event, she called for the ban on her Awami League party to be lifted and said she intended to return to Bangladesh in December despite facing arrest if she did so.
In a statement issued after the event, Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was outraged that Hasina had been allowed to make political remarks from Indian territory. The ministry described the media interaction as a challenge to Bangladesh's sovereignty and warned that such actions could adversely affect bilateral ties between the two countries. It also reiterated Dhaka's long-standing request that India prevent Hasina from engaging in political activities while residing there.
Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have deteriorated since Hasina's removal from office. Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition under the bilateral extradition framework, but India has not handed her over. Indian authorities have previously indicated they were examining Bangladesh's request, while avoiding public comment on the legal process.
During her remarks, Hasina rejected the legal cases against her, describing them as politically motivated. She accused the current Bangladeshi government of economic mismanagement and called for the release of political detainees. Bangladesh's current leadership has maintained that legal proceedings against the former prime minister are being conducted in accordance with the law.
Bangladesh had earlier instructed domestic television channels and media organizations not to broadcast or publish Hasina's statements, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding her public appearances.
Hasina's appearance came as Bangladesh marked two years since the uprising that ended her 15-year tenure. The political fallout from her speech extended beyond official reactions, with protests reported in Dhaka and heightened tensions surrounding figures associated with the event.
As of Thursday, India had not publicly responded to Bangladesh's latest criticism, while Dhaka reiterated its position that allowing Hasina to conduct political activities from Indian soil was inconsistent with the principles of good-neighborly relations and continued to press for progress on its extradition request.
