Don’t allow Hasina to use Indian soil for politics

Bangladesh has sought India’s cooperation to ensure that deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, or any individual associated with the Awami League, cannot use Indian territory to deliver political speeches or engage in activities aimed at creating instability in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir made the request when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Humaiun referred to reports circulating on social media that Hasina may deliver a public statement on August 5 and said that such activities could undermine the positive progress in bilateral relations.

In response, Trivedi assured him that the matter would be given due consideration and that India would make the necessary enquiries and remain attentive to the issue.

Political activities of AL are now banned.

The meeting came ahead of a publicised event in New Delhi, where Hasina is scheduled to make a public appearance virtually before the media on August 5, exactly two years after her government was ousted in a student-led mass uprising.

According to India Today, the event will be hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi, where Hasina is expected to speak about her future plans and her proposed return to Bangladesh.

Since Hasina fled to India, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have remained strained, although there have been signs of improvement following the formation of the BNP government in February.

Trade restrictions remain in place on both sides, while several key bilateral issues, including water-sharing agreements, remain unresolved amid slow progress in bilateral engagements.

According to the foreign ministry, yesterday’s meeting also reviewed various aspects of Bangladesh-India relations and issues of mutual interest.

“They emphasised the importance of maintaining regular dialogue and constructive engagement,” the statement said.

In a Facebook post, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said the discussion focused on expanding people-centric cooperation between the two countries.

Trivedi also reiterated India’s intention to work constructively with the Bangladesh government to advance the development aspirations of the people of both countries.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said India will have to clear whether it supports Hasina’s planned online meeting.

“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 clear whether it is supporting it [online meeting] or not,” she told reporters at her ministry yesterday.

“You saw that we had a very cordial meeting with the new high commissioner, who visited the ministry last week. We had a lot of good discussions.”

Asked about an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in India in September, she indicated that no decision had yet been made.

“Time will tell... I can’t tell you now,” she said, adding that the PM would decide on overseas visits at an appropriate time.