Bangladesh on Monday sought clarity from India over its position on ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s reported plans to address a virtual event from New Delhi on August 5, saying political activities
by the former premier from Indian territory could adversely affect bilateral ties.
Addressing a media briefing, Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Dhaka wanted New Delhi to spell out its stand on the issue as reports suggested Hasina could join a private event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) virtually on Wednesday, which marks the second anniversary of her government’s ouster.
According to media reports, Hasina, 78, is expected to address the event virtually. Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch general secretary Mahammad Ali Siddique are also expected to participate.
“Bangladesh wants India to make its position clear on the matter,” Shama said, adding that Dhaka did not want the issue to undermine relations between the two neighbours.
She said political activities by “fugitives from India who seek to create instability in Bangladesh” could impact bilateral ties and reiterated Dhaka’s long-held position that “fugitives or convicted individuals” should not be allowed to use Indian territory for political activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.
Also Read: Sheikh Hasina Will Join Only Through Audio Link, May Take Questions | Exclusive On August 5 Event
“We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that,” she said.
The issue also figured during a meeting between India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, and Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir in Dhaka on Monday.
According to a statement issued by Bangladesh’s foreign ministry, Kabir informed the Indian envoy that Bangladesh expected India’s cooperation to ensure “that no individual associated with banned organisations – including fugitive Sheikh Hasina – can use Indian territory to make political statements or engage in activities aimed at creating instability within Bangladesh.”
Kabir also said Hasina’s proposed public address from Indian soil could undermine the “positive momentum in bilateral relations,” according to Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, however, said the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral engagement.
“The discussion focused on increasing people-centric cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, based on mutual interest and mutual benefit,” the mission said in a post on X.
It added that High Commissioner Trivedi “reiterated India’s intent to work positively with the Government of Bangladesh to advance the developmental aspirations of the peoples of India and Bangladesh.”
Both sides also emphasised the need for continued dialogue and constructive engagement, expressing hope that outstanding issues could be resolved through mutual trust and discussion.
Hasina To Make First Public Address Since Ouster On Aug 5
The development comes after reports suggested that Hasina – for the first time since she fled from Bangladesh – would address a virtual event from New Delhi on August 5.
The ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had days back announced that she is planning to return to her home along with her senior party colleagues in December and surrender.
Announcing her plans to return to Bangladesh in December, 78-year-old Hasina told Reuters, “They may arrest me on my return; they may even kill me.”
Also Read: Sheikh Hasina’s August 5 Presence: Left Dhaka On This Day In 2024, 1st Public Appearance On Same Day This Year
Hasina had fled to India on August 5, 2024, after her Awami League government was toppled following violent student-led protests.
The interim government that succeeded her has since banned the Awami League under an executive order issued under an anti-terror law and has been seeking Hasina’s extradition from India.
In November 2025, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia after convicting her of crimes against humanity over the crackdown on the 2024 protests. Hasina has dismissed the charges as “politically motivated.”
India has acknowledged receiving Bangladesh’s extradition request and has maintained that it remains under legal consideration.
Why Hasina Chose August 5?
Hasina’s decision to make her first public appearance on August 5 appears to be deeply symbolic. The date marks two years since the dramatic collapse of her Awami League government, when weeks of student-led protests culminated in her ouster from power.
On August 5, 2024, protesters stormed the prime minister’s official residence in Dhaka as the anti-government movement reached its peak. Amid the escalating unrest, Hasina resigned and fled the country.
Accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, she was flown out of Bangladesh on a military aircraft. After an initial stop in Agartala, Tripura, she was transferred to an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft that brought her to Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi. Since then, the former prime minister has been living in India under tight security.
If she goes ahead with the proposed virtual address on August 5, it would mark her first public appearance on the anniversary of the day that brought her uninterrupted 15-year rule to an abrupt end.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said security and law enforcement agencies had 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 ahead of August 5,” he told reporters.
