Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed outrage over India allowing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to hold a live interaction with the media in New Delhi, saying the move had hurt public sentiment in Bangladesh and was detrimental to efforts to build harmonious bilateral relations.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dhaka had conveyed its concerns to the Government of India in advance, warning that such an event could undermine efforts to reset relations between the two neighboring countries.
"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," the ministry said, alleging that Hasina and her associates used the platform to make remarks against Bangladesh and its people.
The ministry said it deeply regretted that the event was allowed to take place despite Bangladesh's prior concerns about its potential diplomatic repercussions.
It said the media interaction, held on the second anniversary of the July Revolution, was an affront to Bangladesh's sovereignty and an insult to those killed during the July 2024 movement.
The statement also accused Hasina of denying findings established by the United Nations regarding the July-August 2024 violence, including the killing of civilians and children, and described her remarks as an attempt to rewrite history. It said the people of Bangladesh had rejected such attempts in the past and would continue to do so.
According to the ministry, the people of Bangladesh remain committed to the ideals of the July Revolution and have resolved not to allow the country to return to what it described as the "dark days of fascism."
Reiterating Dhaka's position on ties with New Delhi, the ministry said Bangladesh remains committed to maintaining a constructive, mutually beneficial and forward-looking relationship with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and national dignity.
However, it noted that Bangladesh's repeated requests for Hasina's return under the Bangladesh-India Extradition Treaty signed in 2013 have yet to receive a response.
The ministry said allowing Hasina to publicly interact with the media in India under any pretext had deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh and was harmful to the development of harmonious bilateral relations between the two countries.
Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have remained strained since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government in August 2024. Hasina has been staying in India since fleeing Bangladesh following the student-led mass uprising.
The government has repeatedly sought her return to face legal proceedings in Bangladesh, citing the bilateral extradition treaty signed in 2013. Dhaka has also on several occasions expressed concern over Hasina's public statements from India, saying such activities negatively affect bilateral ties.
The latest statement came after Hasina held a live media interaction in New Delhi on Wednesday, coinciding with Bangladesh's observance of the second anniversary of the July Revolution.