New Delhi. India.
Saurabh Sharma: How do you assess the current political situation in Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh is passing through a profound political crisis. This is not simply a matter of one government replacing another. It is a question about the very character of the state itself. It is a question of democracy, the rule of law, and the ideals of our Liberation War.
When we were in government, we worked to build Bangladesh as a secular, democratic, development oriented, and secure nation. Today, that Bangladesh is being replaced by fear, mob violence, politics of vengeance, attacks on religious minorities, economic instability, and growing extremism.
A country that was steadily advancing toward prosperity, public confidence, and international respect has now been dragged into an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and darkness. This is not an accident. It is the direct consequence of the destructive politics pursued by Bangladesh’s former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and the current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman.
Saurabh Sharma: Prime Minister Rahman chose China, rather than India, for his first major bilateral visit. How do you view that decision?
Sheikh Hasina: Every government has the sovereign right to determine its diplomatic priorities. However, in a normal state, those priorities should be guided by history, geography, national interest, and the welfare of its people.
Bangladesh’s foreign policy should never send the wrong message to its neighbors, particularly to our historic friend, India.
The relationship between Bangladesh and India is not merely one between two governments. It is founded upon our Liberation War, the blood sacrifice that united us, our shared geography, our common security interests, and the enduring bonds between our peoples.
Bangladesh should maintain balanced relations with all friendly nations. We should work closely with China, Japan, the United States, Europe, and others. But balance does not mean forgetting history. Nor does it mean creating uncertainty with a trusted and time tested friend.
Saurabh Sharma: How do you view the recent changes in Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan, particularly in the areas of trade and defense?
Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh was born through a bloody War of Liberation against Pakistan. The people of Bangladesh have never forgotten the genocide, mass rape, arson, and destruction carried out by the Pakistani military and its local collaborators.
Therefore, any relationship with Pakistan must be based upon an acknowledgment of historical truth.
What we are witnessing today, however, goes far beyond the restoration of normal diplomatic relations. Under the guise of diplomatic goodwill, there appears to be an attempt to weaken the ideals of our Liberation War.
We are seeing efforts to rehabilitate pro Pakistan forces, expand Pakistan’s influence within the military and administrative institutions, and steer the younger generation toward Pakistani institutions. These developments carry profound political implications.
Those who seek to draw Bangladesh back into Pakistan’s shadow are engaged in an extremely dangerous political project.
Saurabh Sharma: During your tenure, Bangladesh and India made remarkable progress in security cooperation, connectivity, and counterterrorism. Do you believe those achievements are now at risk?
Sheikh Hasina: There are political forces in Bangladesh that have consistently used India as a political weapon. Anti India rhetoric has always been one of their principal political tools. They employ it not in the national interest, but for narrow partisan gains.
Our government concluded a number of landmark agreements with India, including the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement, the Land Boundary Agreement, the settlement of maritime disputes, regional transit connectivity, cooperation in power and energy, refugee repatriation, and counterterrorism collaboration. These achievements did not occur by chance.
Yet during the eighteen months of the interim administration and throughout the tenure of the current government, they have failed to produce a single agreement of comparable significance. People are now beginning to understand the gap between their political rhetoric and actual performance.
If extremism continues to grow in Bangladesh, if religious minorities are forced to live in fear, and if anti India politics receives state patronage, then all these hard-won achievements will come under serious pressure.
Both New Delhi and Dhaka must look beyond short-term diplomatic calculations and focus instead on long term stability, democracy, security, and the confidence of their peoples.
Saurabh Sharma: It has been reported that the current government is discouraging the media from broadcasting your speeches and interviews.
Sheikh Hasina: It is not only my voice, nor only the Awami League, that is being silenced. Today, everyone in Bangladesh who speaks in favor of the Liberation War, secular politics, and progressive values is being pushed out of public life.
Freedom of expression has effectively been sent into exile. In its place, a culture of fear has taken root.
Teachers, journalists, intellectuals, artists, and performers are being arrested under fabricated charges or subjected to attacks by extremist groups.
Saurabh Sharma: You have repeatedly expressed your desire to return to Bangladesh. Under what circumstances do you believe that return will be possible?
Sheikh Hasina: As I have said before, I will return to Bangladesh this year. I want to return because Bangladesh is not doing well, and its people are suffering.
The unconstitutional interim administration that seized power through extra constitutional means, followed by the current BNP government formed through what I consider a staged election, is pushing the country toward destruction.
Today, there is no rule of law, no freedom of expression, and no meaningful space for democratic rights. A culture of fear has been imposed upon the people. At such a time, I cannot remain outside my country.
The people of Bangladesh want me to return. They believe I can help free them from their present hardships. Standing beside them is not merely a political responsibility; it is my duty.
Saurabh Sharma: How will your party rebuild itself under the current circumstances?
Sheikh Hasina: Every political party must, at some point in its history, undergo difficult trials. The Awami League is passing through such a period today. I regard it as a process of self-purification.
Those who joined the party because of its ideals are standing with it today with even greater determination. Those who entered for personal gain, power, or privilege have either abandoned the party or chosen silence, thereby revealing their true character.
This has not weakened the Awami League. On the contrary, it has made the party stronger and more resilient.
I have always encouraged young leadership. Today, many young leaders continue to carry the banner of the Awami League with courage despite state repression, persecution, and intimidation. They represent the future of our party.
Once a democratic environment is restored, the party will be reorganized through a fresh council. Talented, patriotic young leaders who believe in the ideals of the Liberation War will be brought into leadership positions. Preparations for that process have already begun.
Saurabh Sharma: You are currently staying in New Delhi. How has India treated you during this difficult period?
Sheikh Hasina: India has received me with the utmost respect, dignity, and courtesy. I remain in regular contact with my family, party leaders and activists, and my well-wishers.
I am grateful to both the Government and the people of India. They have stood by us during this difficult period, just as they stood with us in 1971.
Living in India has only deepened my appreciation of that shared history. Whenever Bangladesh has faced a crisis, the relationship between the peoples of Bangladesh and India has extended far beyond diplomacy. It has always been rooted in humanity and history.
As I have already said, I will return to Bangladesh this year because my country is not well, and its people are suffering. The current BNP government is driving the nation toward destruction.
Saurabh Sharma: Are you in contact with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi or National Security Adviser Ajit Doval? How do you view India’s position regarding the current situation in Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina: Not every diplomatic or personal communication can be discussed publicly.
India is Bangladesh’s most important neighbor and a historic friend.
I believe India’s policymakers are observing developments in Bangladesh very closely.
I am also confident that they understand that Bangladesh’s stability, India’s security, and the broader interests of the region are deeply interconnected.
Saurabh Sharma: Looking back on your final years in office, is there anything you wish you had done differently?
Sheikh Hasina: During our time in government, criticism was everywhere. It appeared in newspapers, on television, across online platforms, in talk shows, and throughout social media.
People criticized me, my government, and my party every day. I listened to those criticisms. Wherever correction was necessary, we made those corrections.
No one was ever declared an enemy of the state simply for criticizing the government.
Saurabh Sharma: How essential do you believe Bangladesh India relations are for regional stability?
Sheikh Hasina: A stable, friendly, and mutually trusting relationship between Bangladesh and India is indispensable for the welfare of the people of both countries and for the security and stability of the entire region.
The foundation of trust that we built with India was based on border security, counterterrorism cooperation, energy and power partnerships, regional connectivity, the peaceful settlement of maritime and land boundary disputes, and stronger people to people ties.
This is precisely the kind of relationship that should exist between two neighboring countries.
Joy Bangla. Joy Bangabandhu.
