New Delhi: Former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina described India as a vital neighbour and partner of her country, while expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support.
“India is a vital neighbour and partner. I value Prime Minister Modi’s support and the longstanding ties between our countries. At a personal and diplomatic level, I am grateful for the refuge I have been afforded in a time of danger. Strong bilateral relations with India are in Bangladesh’s interest, and they can help ensure lasting regional stability,” Hasina said in an exclusive interview with IANS.
Hasina was forced to flee Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, after her democratically elected government collapsed amid violent unrest that left hundreds dead and thousands injured. She was recently sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka for “crimes against humanity”. This is a charge that she vehemently denies.
Bangladesh has asked India to hand over the former prime minister, but India has not responded favourably.
When asked how PM Modi helped her in the time of crisis, she said, “I do not wish to talk about private conversations and relationships; however, I will say that I remain grateful to the people of India for their continued support.”
On November 20, Sk Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed had also spoken to the news agency and said he is “eternally grateful” to Prime Minister Modi for “saving my mother’s life.
“I am eternally grateful to PM Modi. He has ensured my mother’s safety and saved my mother’s life. He is also keeping her under tight security. I am grateful to the Government of India and the people of India,” he had said.
Awami League (Hasina’s party) joint general secretary Bahauddin Nasim had also stated recently that historically, India has been a proven and genuine friend of Bangladesh.
He recalled that India was the first country to recognise Bangladesh’s independence on December 6 1971, and said that recognition came at a time when Pakistan’s invading forces were carrying out brutal genocide, rape, arson, looting, and other crimes against humanity, and when millions of people had been forced to flee as refugees.
“India’s recognition was a powerful example of standing beside the oppressed. The sacrifices and compassion shown by India’s political leadership, armed forces, and ordinary people will always be remembered with deep gratitude by the Bengali nation,” Nasim had said.
Relations between India and Bangladesh are strained ever since Hasina’s ouster and the takeover of the country by an interim government under Muhammad Yunus.
In November, former Bangladesh minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat slammed the Yunus-led interim government, asserting that a government backed by Islamist extremists would never understand the party’s relationship with India.
“Our relations with India are not based only on 1971 but also on our mutual interests on many fronts, including jointly combating domestic and transnational terrorist groups. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the government not only signed the Land Boundary Agreement with India but also resolved the maritime boundary issue through a very respectful and constructive engagement,” he had posted on X.
“Many neighbouring countries have fought long wars over such matters, whereas Bangladesh and India resolved them peacefully. Our cooperation in the communications and energy sectors has also brought significant benefits,” he had added.
