India distances itself from Sheikh Hasina's planned media interaction
Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina is set to hold her first media interaction on Wednesday evening, two years after she fled Dhaka following a massive anti-government protest
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday distanced itself from a planned media interaction featuring Bangladesh's deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying the government of India had "no involvement whatsoever" in the event after Dhaka sought clarification over the programme and expressed concerns that political activities from Indian soil could affect bilateral ties.
Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the event was being organised independently.
"The interaction you refer to is being organised by a private media entity. The government has no involvement whatsoever in it. Neither does it endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum," Jaiswal said.
The clarification came a day after Bangladesh said it had formally conveyed to India its expectation that Sheikh Hasina should not be allowed to use Indian territory for political speeches or activities that could create instability in Bangladesh.
Hasina is scheduled to address a virtual press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in New Delhi on Wednesday, marking the second anniversary of her arrival in India after being ousted from power during the 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh.
According to the organisers, the media interaction will also feature Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and former Bangladesh Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, along with senior leaders of the Awami League participating both physically and virtually. The organisers said Hasina is expected to announce her plans for returning to Bangladesh and outline her vision for the country's future.
Earlier on Monday, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, said Dhaka wanted India to clarify its position on the proposed event, while stressing that Bangladesh did not want the issue to undermine bilateral relations.
She said political activities by "fugitives or convicted individuals" from Indian territory that sought to create instability in Bangladesh could adversely affect ties, adding that Dhaka had repeatedly conveyed its concerns to New Delhi.
India, however, made it clear that the proposed interaction is a private event and not one sponsored or endorsed by the government.
