Bangladesh has urged India to prevent former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from making political statements from Indian territory, saying such activities could undermine bilateral ties….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Bangladesh has asked India to prevent deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina from making political speeches or engaging in activities from Indian territory, warning that such actions could create instability in Bangladesh and affect bilateral relations.
The issue was raised on Monday during a meeting between Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.
According to a statement issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trivedi paid a courtesy call on Kobir, during which the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Both sides expressed optimism about further strengthening ties based on mutual respect, trust and shared interests.
The meeting also addressed reports circulating on social media suggesting that Sheikh Hasina could make a public statement on August 5.
According to the ministry, Kobir told the Indian envoy that Bangladesh expects India’s cooperation to ensure that individuals linked to banned organisations, including the former prime minister, are not allowed to use Indian territory for political activities aimed at creating instability in Bangladesh.
“The meeting also addressed reports circulating on social media regarding fugitive Sheikh Hasina potentially making a public statement on August 5,” the ministry said.
“In this regard, 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,” it added.
The two sides also underlined the importance of maintaining regular dialogue and constructive engagement, expressing hope that long-term solutions to outstanding issues could be achieved through mutual trust and discussion.
The latest development comes as India continues to examine Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition. On July 17, New Delhi said the request remained under examination, taking into account the legal and judicial processes involved.
Bangladesh’s interim government first sought Hasina’s extradition in November 2025 through a formal communication to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Dhaka reiterated the request during the visit of Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to India in April this year, also seeking the extradition of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
Last month, Hasina announced that she and other exiled Awami League leaders intended to return to Bangladesh around December despite the possibility of arrest or death upon arrival.
Hasina has been living in India since August 5, 2024, after mass student-led protests forced her to resign as prime minister.
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has since sentenced Hasina to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity linked to the government’s crackdown on the 2024 student protests. The tribunal held her responsible for ordering or failing to prevent the deaths of demonstrators during the unrest that led to the collapse of her Awami League government.
