New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she plans to return to Bangladesh by December, despite ongoing political and legal challenges surrounding her. She questioned Dhaka’s decision to link her extradition from India with a possible visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi.
Hasina said her return would be her personal decision and stressed that she did not intend to remain outside Bangladesh indefinitely. She said she would announce the exact date, time and entry point closer to her return, arguing that the country’s political crisis could not continue indefinitely.
She also criticised the current Bangladesh government over what she described as the persecution of Awami League leaders and workers. She alleged that party members had faced arrests, violence, attacks on their homes and multiple legal cases. Hasina maintained that the extradition issue was being used for political purposes and said legal and diplomatic procedures should be allowed to take their course.
Defending the Awami League, Hasina questioned the decision to ban the party and argued that its political performance should ultimately be judged by voters. She claimed that the party continued to retain public support despite the difficulties faced by its leaders and workers.
Hasina also raised concerns over Bangladesh’s economic condition, citing lower growth, rising poverty and unemployment. She questioned the proposed acquisition of Chinese J-10CE fighter jets at a time when the country is facing challenges involving power generation, gas supplies and industrial activity.
On regional security, Hasina warned about what she described as increasing extremism, communal tensions and weakened institutions in Bangladesh. She said these developments could have wider implications for India, Myanmar, the Bay of Bengal, migration, trade and maritime security.
India has maintained that Bangladesh’s extradition request is being examined through established procedures while expressing its desire for constructive and forward-looking bilateral relations.
Hasina said she continues to closely follow developments in Bangladesh and that her strongest motivation for returning is to remain connected with the people and country she left behind.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
