India distances itself from Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi address, says government has no role in event

India has clarified that the government had no role in organising a recent media interaction involving former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi and said it did not endorse remarks made during the event.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Aug 7 made the clarification during a press briefing following criticism from Bangladesh over Hasina’s interaction with the media.

Jaiswal said the event was organised by a private media entity and was not an Indian government programme. He also made it clear that the government did not support statements made at the forum, particularly comments concerning Bangladesh’s duly constituted government.

The clarification came after Hasina addressed the media in Delhi and said she intended to return to Bangladesh. During the interaction, she alleged that conditions in the country had deteriorated over the past two years and criticised the political developments that followed the fall of her government.

Hasina said she wanted to return to Bangladesh and called for the lifting of the ban on her political party, the Bangladesh Awami League.

She also sought the withdrawal of what she described as false cases against her and party leaders and called for the restoration of freedom of speech.

Hasina also disputed the characterisation of the July-August 2024 protests that eventually led to the fall of her government. She alleged that organised groups had used the student movement for political purposes.

Her remarks triggered a strong reaction from Bangladesh. The country's foreign ministry said it was outraged that Hasina had been allowed to engage in a live media interaction from New Delhi despite Dhaka having raised concerns with India over the event and its possible implications for bilateral relations.

Bangladesh described the interaction as an affront to its sovereignty and said it wanted relations with India to remain based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and national dignity.

Dhaka also called on New Delhi to clarify its policy towards Bangladesh. Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs, Shama Obaid, said India would have to decide its approach towards Bangladesh and whether it would continue to allow Awami League leaders to conduct political activities from Indian territory.

India's latest clarification seeks to distinguish the government's position from the statements made by Hasina during the private media event.

When asked about remarks by Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, concerning Pakistan and the role of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said India continuously monitors developments in the region and neighbourhood. He added that New Delhi assesses such developments from the perspective of national security and takes appropriate measures when required.

The episode comes amid sensitive relations between India and Bangladesh following Hasina's departure from office and her continued stay in India. Her public political statements from Delhi have remained a point of concern for Dhaka, making India's clarification on its non-involvement in the latest event significant for the bilateral relationship.