Bangladesh has condemned India for allowing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to address journalists in New Delhi, driving already strained bilateral ties to a fresh low after she pledged to return home despite a death sentence.
Key facts
- Bangladesh accused India of giving a platform to a fugitive it labelled a 'convicted genocider'.
- Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina addressed journalists in New Delhi.
- Hasina vowed to return to Bangladesh in December.
- She faces a death sentence on charges of 'crimes against humanity'.
- Dhaka says the move undermines efforts to repair bilateral relations.
Bangladesh has lashed out at India for allowing the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to address journalists in New Delhi, plunging already strained bilateral relations to a fresh low, according to the Guardian.
Dhaka accused India of giving a platform to a fugitive it labelled a ‘convicted genocider’. Bangladeshi officials said the decision to permit the address undermines ongoing efforts to repair ties between the two neighbours.
In her remarks to journalists, Hasina vowed to return to Bangladesh in December. She made the pledge despite facing a death sentence on charges of ‘crimes against humanity’, according to the Guardian.
The episode marks a fresh downturn in a relationship that was already under significant strain. Dhaka’s framing of Hasina as a convicted figure and its criticism of India’s willingness to host her underscores the depth of the current diplomatic rift.
The Guardian reported that the developments have driven bilateral relations to a new low, with the exiled leader’s public appearance in the Indian capital becoming a flashpoint between the two governments.
Why it matters
India and Bangladesh are close neighbours whose relationship shapes trade, security and regional stability in South Asia. A sharpening dispute over the fate of an exiled former leader risks deepening a diplomatic rift that both governments had been trying to mend.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bangladesh angry with India?
Bangladesh accused India of giving a platform to a fugitive it labelled a 'convicted genocider' by allowing ousted PM Sheikh Hasina to address journalists in New Delhi, which Dhaka says undermines efforts to repair ties.
What did Sheikh Hasina say in her address?
According to the Guardian, Hasina vowed to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing a death sentence on charges of 'crimes against humanity'.
What sentence does Sheikh Hasina face?
The Guardian reports that Hasina faces a death sentence on charges of 'crimes against humanity'.