Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's press meet puts BNP’s India calculus under spotlight

The sharp reaction by Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs accusing India of encouraging ex-PM Sheikh Hasina to conduct a press meet while in exile here reflected the ruling party's (Bangladesh NP or BNP) nationalism plank to further its agenda in domestic politics.

The Foreign Ministry’s statement at the behest of BNP also reflected views of radical Jamaat-e-Islami that allegedly played a role in the street protests that ousted Hasina in August 2024, according to Bangladesh watchers.

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In a press statement released on Wednesday, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "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…Dhaka deeply regrets that in spite of concerns conveyed a prior to the Government of India about the likely ramifications of this event on the reset of our bilateral relations, this public event was permitted to be held.”

The Indian government has maintained that it had no role in organizing this press meet and that it was being arranged by a private media entity. Sources here pointed out that the press statement by the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry is crafted in an immature fashion not befitting of a Ministry.


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It is ironic that the current government in Dhaka is raising the issue of Hasina conducting politics from abroad during her exile while the current PM Tareque Rahman was involved in politics in Dhaka while in exile in the UK for 17 years. It may be recalled that Tarique had signed a written bond to stay away from politics but continued with active involvement while in exile from the UK. That did not affect Bangladesh’s ties with the UK during the Hasina regime between 2009-2024. “It is hypocritical on the par of the BNP government led by Tareque Rahman now to object to a similar act by Hasina from a different country and claim that relations with India will be impacted if it allows the exiled leader to conduct politics from its soil,” according to a Bangladesh watcher.

The hardline and pro-Jamaat faction of the BNP is suspected to be behind the government’s anti-India posture. The BNP, however, will stand to lose ground by opposing Awami League making way for pro-Pak Jamaat to take centre-stage in Bangladesh politics. Hasina's possible return to Dhaka later this year would boost mainstream political parties and strengthen democracy against attempts by Jamaat to radicalise politics in Bangladesh.