State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh expects India to clarify its position on former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's reported virtual appearance at an event in New Delhi on August 5, while emphasizing that Dhaka wants to maintain a forward-looking relationship with its neighbor.
"We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don't want it to be damaged, and I firmly believe that India doesn't want it either. So, India has to be clear whether it is supporting it or not," Shama told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Indian media reports, Hasina is expected to make her first public appearance in India since fleeing Bangladesh following the August 2024 student-led uprising. She is scheduled to join theevent organized by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi on August 5.
Responding to questions, the state minister noted that the reported event is not being organized by the Indian government. She said Dhaka would decide whether diplomatic communication with New Delhi is necessary depending on the circumstances.
"If we think it is necessary, the government will contact the relevant foreign ministry," she said.
Asked whether Bangladesh would formally protest or seek an explanation before the event, she reiterated that the program is not being organized by the Indian government.
Shama said Bangladesh has repeatedly conveyed to India—both verbally and in writing—that fugitives or convicted individuals should not use Indian territory for political activities aimed at destabilizing Bangladesh.
Referring to recent remarks by the Indian government, she said New Delhi had indicated that it did not expect a fugitive facing allegations to make political statements from Indian soil.
She warned that political activities by fugitives from India that sought to create instability in Bangladesh could negatively affect bilateral relations.
"It can. But we don't want that," she said when asked whether such activities could damage ties between the two countries.
Despite the issue, the state minister stressed that Bangladesh wants to strengthen its relationship with India.
"You saw that we had a very cordial meeting with the new high commissioner who came here. We had a lot of good discussions."
"We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said, Dhaka expects New Delhi’s cooperation in ensuring that any person, including fugitive Hasina, cannot use Indian territory to make political statements or conduct any activities aimed at creating instability within Bangladesh.
The adviser conveyed the message when newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met him at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kobir mentioned that such activities could harm the positive progress of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Indian high commissioner assured that the matter would be duly considered, necessary inquiries would be made, and efforts would be made in this regard.