Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday praised India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her first media interaction since being ousted from power in 2024. Addressing an international
press conference virtually from Delhi, Hasina reiterated her determination to return to Bangladesh despite the legal cases pending against her.
What Hasina said on India and PM Modi?
Calling India Bangladesh’s “great friend”, Hasina said India had always stood by Bangladesh during difficult times and would continue to do so.
Speaking about her stay in India, her son and former ICT adviser, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had treated Hasina with the respect accorded to a “head of state”. He said the former prime minister had been provided full security and described the Indian government’s support as one of “utmost respect”.
‘I may be jailed, but I will return’
During the address, Hasina reaffirmed her plans to return to Bangladesh despite the risks. She said she could be detained or imprisoned but added that fear would not stop her from carrying out what she described as her duty to the people.
Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, after days of protests culminated in mobs surrounding her residence, leading to the collapse of her government.
Nearly two years after taking shelter in New Delhi, her continued stay remains a sensitive issue in India-Bangladesh relations. While Dhaka has sought her return, the current Bangladeshi establishment has said the matter is a legal process that will follow its course, signalling an attempt to separate the issue from broader diplomatic engagement.
Son raises security concerns
Sajeeb Wazed Joy also alleged that Bangladesh had become “another Pakistan on India’s eastern front”.
According to him, hundreds of convicted militants arrested during the Awami League government had been released from prison, while Hizb ut-Tahrir and Al-Qaeda operatives were now operating openly.
Joy said the situation posed a security concern not only for India but also for the wider international community.
He warned that Bangladesh could become a future source of global terrorism unless the situation was addressed.
