Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over Sheikh Hasina's media interviews
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, to convey its 'serious concern' over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent interviews with Indian and international media outlets.
According to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the ministry formally protested against the Indian government’s decision to allow Hasina—who is facing multiple criminal charges in Bangladesh—to interact with mainstream media.
Dhaka also requested New Delhi to immediately restrict Sheikh Hasina’s access to the media, saying that providing such a platform to a fugitive accused of crimes against humanity could harm bilateral relations.
Hasina, 78, was ousted in August 2024 following weeks of violent student-led protests. She fled Bangladesh on August 5 that year and has since been living in India. The former PM now faces several legal cases, including charges of corruption and human rights abuses, which her supporters say are politically motivated.
In recent days, Sheikh Hasina has given interviews to several prominent Indian and international media organizations, during which she criticized Bangladesh’s interim administration and alleged political persecution.
The ministry reportedly told the Indian envoy that sheltering a fugitive “under trial for crimes against humanity” and allowing her to “promote hatred and encourage terrorist activities inside Bangladesh” were not conducive to maintaining a constructive relationship between the two countries.
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