New Foreign Secretary Refuses to Comment on Hasina’s Passport Application

Newly appointed Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury has declined to comment on reports that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has applied for a new passport and national identity card (NID), reportedly in preparation for a possible return to Bangladesh in December.

Responding to questions at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Salahuddin said he had no comment on Hasina’s reported application. He explained that the briefing was primarily focused on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Türkiye to attend the COP31 climate conference.

“We are mainly talking about the COP31 conference today. I have no comment on this matter,” he told reporters.

According to Reuters, Hasina submitted applications for a new passport and NID on Monday. The news agency reported that it had obtained a letter concerning the applications, marking her first formal communication since she fled to India in August 2024 following the July uprising.

The letter was sent by lawyers from London-based legal firm Matrix Chambers to Preeti Rahman, acting high commissioner at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, requesting the issuance of new passport and NID documents for Hasina.

The lawyers stated that they understood the interim government and relevant authorities had cancelled her previous passport and NID. Referring to her Bangladeshi citizenship and international human rights obligations, they urged the authorities to take the necessary steps to issue the documents without delay.

Hasina was ousted during the student-led mass uprising in August 2024 and has remained in India since then.

In November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over allegations that she ordered a deadly crackdown on the uprising.

Her reported attempt to secure new travel and identity documents has raised questions about a possible return to Bangladesh and the potential political implications. The activities of the Awami League remain banned, with several of its leaders and activists in prison, while others are residing in India and different countries.

Reuters also reported that relations between Bangladesh and India have been strained over New Delhi's decision to shelter Hasina. Any move by her to return to Bangladesh could add further complications to the already sensitive bilateral relationship.