Dhaka Expresses Outrage Over Hasina's Media Interaction in New Delhi

Bangladesh has strongly criticised India's decision to allow former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whom it described as an absconding "convicted genocider", to address the media live from New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Hasina and her associates used the platform to make what it called "venomous" remarks against Bangladesh and its people.

Dhaka said it deeply regretted that, despite conveying its concerns in advance to the Indian government about the possible impact of the event on efforts to reset bilateral ties, the programme was allowed to proceed.

The ministry noted that the media interaction took place on the second anniversary of the July Revolution, calling it an affront to Bangladesh's sovereignty and a grave insult to those who were killed during the movement.

According to the statement, Hasina's comments amounted to a denial of findings documented by the United Nations, including allegations of the killing of civilians, among them children, during the July-August 2024 unrest. The government said the remarks represented an unsuccessful attempt by Hasina and her associates to rewrite history.

"The people of Bangladesh had already rejected such heinous attempts in the past and continue to do so now," the statement said.

Reaffirming the ideals of the July Revolution, the government said the people of Bangladesh remain committed to preventing any return to authoritarian rule and ensuring that the country maintains its sovereignty and independence.

The MoFA also reiterated Bangladesh's desire to maintain a constructive, mutually beneficial and forward-looking relationship with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and national dignity.

However, the ministry expressed disappointment that Bangladesh's repeated requests for Hasina's extradition under the bilateral Extradition Treaty signed in 2013 have yet to receive a response from India.

"On the contrary, allowing her the opportunity to openly interact with the media under any pretext is deeply hurtful to our people's sentiment and detrimental to the development of harmonious bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India," the statement added.