'Want Ties To Improve': Bangladesh Urges India To Stop Sheikh Hasina's Aug 5 Virtual Address
'Want Ties To Improve': Bangladesh Urges India To Stop Sheikh Hasina's Aug 5 Virtual Address Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 08:02 IST The
'Want Ties To Improve': Bangladesh Urges India To Stop Sheikh Hasina's Aug 5 Virtual Address Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 08:02 IST 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. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP File) 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.
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