Bangladesh has strongly criticised India for allowing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to address the media in New Delhi, calling the event “provocative” and harmful to bilateral ties.
In a statement, Dhaka said it was outraged that Sheikh Hasina, a convicted fugitive, was permitted to speak publicly from Indian soil. Hasina used the platform to make hostile remarks against the country and its people.
The Bangladeshi government said it had previously conveyed its concerns to New Delhi about the potential impact such an event could have on efforts to improve relations between the two neighbours. Still, the media interaction was allowed to proceed regardless.
The briefing took place as Bangladesh marked the second anniversary of the July Revolution. Dhaka described Hasina’s appearance in India as an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and an insult to those who lost their lives during the 2024 uprising.
Bangladesh also termed Hasina’s denial of findings related to the violence during July and August 2024, saying the people of the country had already rejected attempts to rewrite history and remained committed to preventing any return to authoritarian rule.
Bangladesh said ties should be based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. However, it expressed disappointment that India has yet to respond to repeated requests for Hasina’s extradition under the 2013 Bangladesh-India Extradition Treaty, adding that giving her a public platform was detrimental to the development of harmonious bilateral relations.
Bangladesh is outraged that the absconding convicted genocider Sheikh Hasina was allowed this evening to engage in live interaction with the media in New Delhi where she and her henchmen launched venomous vitriol against the State of Bangladesh and her people.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) August 5, 2026
Dhaka deeply… pic.twitter.com/7BDnAxk5N8
Earlier, Bangladesh asked India to hand over Sheikh Hasina Wajid, the ex-prime minister of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry formally asked India to hand over former prime minister and “fugitive accused” Sheikh Hasina, following the special tribunal’s decision to sentence the Awami League leader to death.
Hasina, who was ousted last year, was sentenced in absentia on Monday for “crimes against humanity” linked to the widespread anti-government protests in July 2024.
In its letter, the ministry referred to the existing extradition agreement between the two countries and said it was India’s “obligatory responsibility” to facilitate her return to Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh Asks India to Hand Over Sheikh Hasina Wajid