Hasina’s Stay in India Is Her Own Decision: Jaishankar

A collage of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India is a personal choice shaped by the circumstances that brought her to the country.

Hasina left Bangladesh in August last year after her 15-year rule ended amid an uprising that resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Last month, she was sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka for crimes against humanity linked to the government’s crackdown on student protests.

When asked whether Hasina could remain in India indefinitely, Jaishankar said, “She came here in a certain circumstance, and that circumstance clearly influences her situation. But ultimately, it is a decision she has to make herself.”

Turning to India-Bangladesh relations, he stressed the importance of a credible democratic process in the neighboring country. “There were concerns about how elections were conducted earlier. A fair election is the first step to address those issues,” he added.

Jaishankar expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties, emphasizing India’s support for democracy in Bangladesh. “We hope that the democratic process will reflect the people’s will and lead to a mature and balanced relationship,” he said.