India Distances Itself from Sheikh Hasina's Planned Press Event

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated on Tuesday that the government has no involvement in a press conference to be addressed by deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the event, organized by a private media entity at the Foreign Correspondents Club, is not endorsed by the government. The announcement follows a meeting in Dhaka where Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir cautioned Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi that continued political activities by Hasina on Indian territory could harm bilateral relations.

Sheikh Hasina has resided in India since fleeing Dhaka in August 2024 following a violent student led uprising. During the upcoming session, she is expected to outline her vision for Bangladesh and announce plans regarding her return to the country. Bangladeshi authorities have since issued a notification urging media organizations not to provide a platform for her remarks, citing a death sentence pronounced against her by the International Crimes Tribunal.

Diplomatic tensions have also emerged regarding an invitation for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi. While India stated the invitation was extended in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC, diplomatic sources in Dhaka indicated that the government has not appreciated this distinction. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has sought Hasina's extradition, a request India says is being examined according to legal processes.