Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Expresses Gratitude to India While Awaiting Crucial Tribunal Verdict

Sheikh Hasina emphasized that Bangladesh's political future must be determined by its own people.

New Delhi:

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in India since her removal from power last year, expressed gratitude to New Delhi for "offering her refuge" and "welcoming" her. In a conversation with NDTV's Senior Executive Editor, Aditya Raj Kaul, Hasina stated that the relationship between India and Bangladesh is founded on "deep respect" for sovereignty and mutual regional interests.

"I am deeply grateful to the people of India for welcoming me and providing me with a temporary refuge. Our countries share 4,000 kilometres of border, deep family and cultural ties, and critical security interests. Our partnership rests on a deep respect and understanding of each other's sovereignty," Hasina remarked.

She underscored that Bangladesh's political future must be determined independently by its own citizens - a principle she believes India acknowledges.

"Bangladesh's future must be determined independently by its own people and leaders. I believe India understands this and would prefer to deal with a mature and authoritative partner in Dhaka, governing with the genuine consent of the people," the 79-year-old former Bangladesh PM stated.

The 78-year-old former PM fled to India on a self-imposed exile on August 5, 2024, as violent protesters numbering in the tens of thousands marched toward her residence in Dhaka, resulting in her ouster and ending her 15-year tenure. Since then, she has been living in a secure, undisclosed location in Delhi. In an October email interview with Reuters, Hasina indicated she would not return to Bangladesh under any government formed after elections that exclude her party, and intends to remain in India.

"I would of course love to go home, so long as the government there was legitimate, the constitution was being upheld, and law and order genuinely prevailed," she had stated.

According to Sajeeb Wazed, Hasina's son, India has provided the former Bangladeshi PM with complete security and has been treating her "like a head of state".

Hasina's resignation was announced by the military shortly after her arrival in India, transferring power to an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.

Sheikh Hasina's verdict today

Hasina and several Awami League party leaders face charges of crimes against humanity for a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. A United Nations report estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands wounded - predominantly by security forces' gunfire - during anti-government demonstrations between July 15 and August 5 last year.

She has denied any wrongdoing and described the case as "politically motivated".

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) will announce its verdict today against Hasina and two associates, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, on these charges. The fully televised verdict is expected to convict Hasina.

Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty for the accused.