Bangladesh Objects Hasina's New Delhi Press Event; Calls it Blow to Bilateral Ties

Dhaka: Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi face fresh strain after Bangladesh formally objected to India permitting ousted premier Sheikh Hasina to face the media in the Indian capital, with officials there framing the episode as a direct challenge to their country's sovereign standing.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry expressed anger that Hasina — labelled an "absconding convicted genocider" by Dhaka — was granted the opportunity for a live press interaction in New Delhi, during which she and members of her circle are said to have made critical remarks targeting Bangladesh and its people.

Officials in Dhaka claimed they had raised objections with Indian authorities before the event took place, cautioning that it risked damaging the two countries' attempts to rebuild diplomatic relations. The event went ahead regardless.

The timing of the protest coincided with Bangladesh observing two years since the July Revolution. Government representatives characterised Hasina's public appearance in India as a painful reminder for families of those who died during the 2024 uprising, describing it as an act that disrespected the nation's sovereignty.

Dhaka also alleged that Hasina used the platform to cast doubt on United Nations findings concerning civilian deaths — including of children — during the violence of July and August 2024. Officials characterised this as an effort to distort the historical record, insisting the Bangladeshi public had already moved past such claims.

Invoking the spirit of the July Revolution, the ministry declared the country's determination to avoid returning to what it called an era of "fascism," ruling out any future political role for Hasina or those aligned with her.

Even while affirming its wish for continued cooperation with India based on equality, respect, and non-interference in each other's affairs, Bangladesh noted its frustration that New Delhi has not acted on its extradition requests concerning Hasina under the bilateral treaty signed in 2013.

The ministry concluded that granting Hasina media access, absent any movement on the extradition front, had caused considerable distress among the Bangladeshi public and posed a setback to efforts at fostering goodwill between the two nations