India’s decision to allow an audio message of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina played at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday has reinforced the perception that Delhi is prepared to use the “Hasina card” whenever it deems necessary, diplomatic analysts say.
From the outset, Bangladesh’s interim government has expressed strong displeasure over Sheikh Hasina’s political activities being conducted from Indian soil. However, Indian authorities have shown little inclination to accommodate Dhaka’s concerns, signalling that New Delhi’s approach is guided primarily by its own strategic calculations rather than sensitivities in Bangladesh.
Analysts believe India is likely to continue leveraging the Hasina factor in the coming days, regardless of who forms the next government following the February 12 election. They argue that Dhaka must clearly distinguish between India’s national interests and the Sheikh Hasina issue when managing bilateral relations.
“In diplomacy, there is no room for emotion—only national interest matters,” said a former Bangladeshi diplomat. “India’s priority is its own national interest, not Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka needs to understand this reality.”
He added that Bangladesh should avoid holding its relationship with India hostage to the Hasina issue and instead pursue engagement with New Delhi based on broader strategic and economic interests, irrespective of her political activities.
Another former diplomat pointed to a signal of engagement from India in April last year, when Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a sideline meeting during the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.
“That meeting made it clear that Delhi was not interested in discussing Sheikh Hasina,” he said, adding that Dhaka may have failed to correctly interpret India’s message at the time.
Drawing a parallel between domestic politics and diplomacy, the diplomat noted that political rivalries are often temporary. “Politicians frequently exchange harsh words, but later sit together over a cup of tea. The same logic applies to foreign relations. There are no permanent friends or enemies—only permanent interests.”
Analysts argue that both the interim government and the next elected administration will need to formulate a clear and consistent policy on India—deciding whether bilateral engagement will continue with or without linking it to the Sheikh Hasina issue.
Such strategic clarity, they say, will be essential for stabilising Bangladesh–India relations i the post-election period.
Dhaka’s statement
Bangladesh has expressed deep anguish and strong displeasure over the decision to allow ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina—who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity—to make a public statement at an event held in New Delhi on Friday (January 23).
In a strongly worded press release issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dhaka views the event as a clear violation of the norms governing inter-State relations. The government believes that permitting Hasina to speak publicly from Indian soil, despite her conviction and Bangladesh’s repeated extradition requests, undermines the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and good neighbourliness.
The ministry noted that India has yet to act on its obligations under the bilateral extradition agreement to hand over Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. “Instead, she has been allowed to issue inflammatory and inciteful statements from Indian territory,” the statement said, adding that such actions pose a direct threat to Bangladesh’s democratic transition, as well as to peace and security in the country.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Hasina used the New Delhi event to openly call for the removal of the current government of Bangladesh and issued what it described as blatant incitements to her party loyalists and the general public to engage in acts of violence and terror. The ministry warned that such statements were aimed at derailing the country’s upcoming general elections.
“Allowing a convicted mass murderer to openly deliver hate speech from the capital of a neighbouring country constitutes a clear affront to the people and the government of Bangladesh,” the statement said. It added that the move sets a dangerous precedent and could seriously impair the ability of any future elected government in Bangladesh to engage constructively with India and nurture mutually beneficial bilateral relations.
The ministry further said that the remarks made at the event once again highlighted why the interim government was compelled to ban the activities of Awami League. The “unabashed incitements” by the party’s leadership, it said, demonstrate a continued willingness to destabilise the country through violence.
Bangladesh warned that it would hold Awami League fully responsible for any acts of violence or terror committed in the run-up to the elections or on polling day. “The government will take all necessary and appropriate measures to foil such conspiracies and ensure the safety, security, and democratic rights of the people,” the statement concluded.
