Bangladesh on Monday urged India to ensure that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, or anyone associated with the Awami League, is not allowed to use Indian territory to deliver political speeches or carry out activities that could destabilise Bangladesh. The request comes ahead of Hasina's first public appearance in nearly two years, according to The Daily Star.
Hasina has been living in exile in India since the July Revolution led to the fall of her Awami League government in August 2024. Since then, she has largely maintained a low profile. However, she is scheduled to make her first public appearance in almost two years on Wednesday, August 5, at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road in New Delhi during an event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia.
She is expected to join the event virtually and speak about her future plans, including her proposed return to Bangladesh.
Dhaka has warned that allowing Hasina to make such an address could negatively affect bilateral ties with New Delhi.
According to The Daily Star, Bangladesh Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir met Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday. Trivedi assumed charge as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh in April this year.
During the meeting, Kobir reportedly sought India's cooperation to prevent Hasina from using Indian territory to make political statements or engage in activities that could create instability in Bangladesh. He said such actions could undermine the recent improvement in relations between the two countries.
"The Foreign Affairs Adviser informed the High Commissioner that Bangladesh expects India's cooperation to ensure that no individual associated with banned organisations—including fugitive Sheikh Hasina—can use Indian territory to make political statements or engage in activities aimed at creating instability within Bangladesh," Bangladesh's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Responding to the concerns, Trivedi reportedly assured Kobir that the matter would be looked into appropriately. According to the report, he said the Indian side would make the necessary enquiries and remain vigilant on the issue.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry said the meeting also covered a range of bilateral issues and matters of mutual interest. Both sides stressed the importance of maintaining regular dialogue and constructive engagement, expressing hope that pending issues could be resolved through mutual trust and discussions.
In a Facebook post, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said the discussions focused on strengthening people-centric cooperation based on shared interests and mutual benefit. It also reiterated India's commitment to working positively with Bangladesh's government to support the developmental aspirations of the people of both countries.
WHY IS SHEIKH HASINA SPEAKING ON AUGUST 5?
Hasina's upcoming address coincides with the second anniversary of the end of her 15-year tenure as Bangladesh's prime minister.
On August 5, 2024, protests that began over a controversial quota system evolved into a nationwide anti-government movement, forcing Hasina to flee to India after demonstrators stormed government buildings in Dhaka.
Since arriving in India, she has largely avoided public appearances and media interactions. Her August 5 address will be her most prominent public engagement since leaving office. The event is also expected to feature several well-known Bangladeshi personalities, including her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and human rights activist Mahammad Ali Siddique.
Bangladesh, which sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for "crimes against humanity" in November last year, has repeatedly requested her extradition from India.
Last week, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, asked the Centre to keep it informed about the matter. The panel noted that India's approach to Hasina's stay has been guided by its humanitarian tradition of offering refuge to those facing severe distress, while also observing that New Delhi has not provided her with a political platform or allowed political activities from Indian territory.
The government informed the committee that Bangladesh's extradition request is "being examined by the competent authorities" under the applicable legal procedures. Meanwhile, Hasina told news agency AFP in an interview that she intends to return to Bangladesh by the end of this year despite fears of arrest, imprisonment or even death.
