DHAKA, Aug. 4 — Bangladesh has called on India to clarify its position regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s reported participation in a virtual media event hosted from New Delhi, warning that political activities by individuals considered fugitives could adversely affect bilateral relations.
Addressing a media briefing, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Dhaka expects New Delhi to make its position clear over Hasina’s planned appearance at an interactive session organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) on August 5.
According to media reports, the 78-year-old former prime minister is expected to join the event virtually from India. The session is also expected to feature her son, US-based Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch General Secretary Mahammad Ali Siddique.
“Bangladesh wants India to make its position clear on the matter,” Shama Obaed Islam told reporters, adding that Dhaka does not want the issue to undermine relations between the two neighbouring countries.
She reiterated Bangladesh’s long-standing position that fugitives or convicted individuals should not be allowed to use Indian territory for political activities aimed at creating instability in Bangladesh.
“Political activities by fugitives from India who seek to create instability in Bangladesh could negatively affect bilateral ties,” she said. “We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that.”
Separately, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humayun Kabir, expressed similar concerns during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in Dhaka on Monday.
According to Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency, Kabir said Hasina’s planned public appearance from Indian soil could undermine the recent positive momentum in relations between the two countries.
Following the meeting, the Indian High Commission said on X that discussions reviewed various aspects of India-Bangladesh relations and focused on expanding people-centric cooperation based on mutual interests and shared benefits. The mission also said High Commissioner Trivedi reaffirmed India’s commitment to working constructively with the Bangladesh government to support the development aspirations of both nations.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said security and law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert ahead of August 5.
“All necessary measures have been taken to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the country,” the minister said, indicating that authorities are closely monitoring the security situation.
