Bangladesh has asked India to clarify its position on a public event where former leader Sheikh Hasina is expected to make a virtual address.
Dhaka warned that the programme could complicate ongoing efforts to improve relations between the neighbouring countries.
State minister for foreign affairs, Shama Obaed, said that the event was concerning because it centred on the leader of a party banned in Bangladesh.
“Such an arrangement around the president of the Awami League, whose activities are banned in Bangladesh, could undermine efforts to normalise relations between the two countries,” he said, according to BD News.
Ms Hasina has been living in India since a street agitation in August 2024 toppled her government and sent her fleeing by helicopter.
She has since been sentenced to death in her country for allegedly committing crimes against humanity, a verdict she has denounced as politically motivated.
According to the Indian Express, Ms Hasina is due to address an event marking two years of her ouster on 5 August.
The programme is being organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in Delhi. A poster for the event says the former Bangladesh leader will thank the journalists “ahead of her homecoming”.
A media interaction at the event will be addressed by Ms Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and her former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.
Asked whether Dhaka intended to object to Ms Hasina’s planned speech, Ms Obaed said Bangladesh was focused on India’s position rather than the former leader’s comments.
“Bangladesh wants India to make its position clear on the matter,” she said.
“We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that.”
She described Ms Hasina as the “head of a banned organisation and a convicted fugitive”.
“The Bangladesh government doesn’t have the time to respond to whatever she says or does, wherever she says it,” the minister said.
“But what we are following is that the Indian government recently issued a statement saying it doesn’t expect a fugitive there to make political statements. The Indian government does not support that. Whether they support Awami League holding online meetings or whatever else they do, the Indian government itself must make that clear.”
The remarks come as both countries seek to steady relations after months of political tension. Ms Obaed said Bangladesh wanted to continue moving forward rather than allow this issue to derail diplomatic engagement.
“It could, but that is not what we want,” she said. “I believe the people of Bangladesh don’t want that either. Bangladesh does not want its relationship with India to become more negative. We want it to improve, and it is moving towards improvement. India will conduct its activities with Bangladesh keeping that in mind.”
She added that Dhaka had repeatedly raised concerns about Ms Hasina’s political activities in India.
When asked whether her country would seek a formal explanation from Delhi, Ms Obaed maintained that the Indian government was not organising the event. “If we consider it necessary,” she added, “we will contact their foreign ministry.”
The Independent has reached out to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia for comment.
The event is taking place ahead of September’s Brics summit in Delhi for which Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has invited his Bangladeshi counterpart Tarique Rahman.