New Delhi: Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has slammed her successor Tarique Rahman’s decision to skip the BRICS Summit in India.
The decision was “immature” and damaged Bangladesh’s national interest, she said, warning that foreign policy driven by personal reactions or short-term political calculations is inherently counterproductive.
Hasina, who was the longest serving prime minister of that country, said Bangladesh’s participation at the summit of the influential grouping could have opened up new opportunities for its economic and social development, but that chance was lost, she said in an exclusive interview to PTI.
If her presence in New Delhi was the reason behind Rahman’s refusal to attend the summit, it was very unfortunate, she said.
“Relations between two countries cannot be determined by personal considerations or political sensitivities involving one individual,” she stressed.
Ahead of the Summit that was held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, India had extended an invitation to Rahman in his role as the current chair of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
Rahman, however, decided to stay away from the event attended by world leaders like Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese premier Xi Jinping.
“It was deeply unfortunate that Bangladesh chose not to participate. In my view, it was an immature decision and one that did not serve Bangladesh’s national interest,” Hasina said.
“BRICS is not simply a diplomatic gathering. It brings together major emerging economies and creates opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and development. By participating, Bangladesh could have gained valuable experience and opened new opportunities for its own economic and social development. That opportunity was lost,” she said.
Referring to relations with India, she highlighted why the Summit was so important for her country.
“India is our closest neighbour and an important historic partner, but BRICS engagement is also about Bangladesh’s own place in the international community,” Hasina noted.
The 78-year-oldvhas been living in Delhi since she left Bangladesh following the collapse of her government in August 2024 in the face of a massive anti-government agitation.
She recalled how then prime minister Ziaur Rahman visited New Delhi in 1979 even when she was staying in India.
“After the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with members of my family on August 15, 1975, and the killing of the four national leaders inside Dhaka Central Jail on November 3, Ziaur Rahman came to power through an unconstitutional process,” Hasina said in response to written questions.
“Yet when he visited Delhi in 1979, I was living in Delhi. When he travelled to London in 1980, I was also in London. My presence in either city did not prevent him from travelling there,” she said.
“So why should my presence in Delhi prevent Ziaur Rahman’s son, Tarique Rahman, from coming to India today? What is the real reason behind such a decision,” she asked.
She also highlighted how her government’s foreign policy approach helped Bangladesh’s economic growth.
“During my tenure, we maintained strong relations with India while also expanding cooperation with China, Russia, Japan, the United States, Europe and many other partners,” she said.
“Friendship with one country never required hostility towards another, “she added.
“Bangladesh needs a mature, balanced and confident foreign policy. A responsible government should open doors for the country, not close them,” Hasina said.
She also attacked the Rahman government for its overall foreign policy direction, and said it should be “independent, balanced and guided by national interest.”
“The principle given by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, remains the best guide: friendship to all, malice to none. India is Bangladesh’s closest neighbour and historic friend from the Liberation War,” she said.
“China is also an important development partner. Japan, the United States, Europe, ASEAN and the Muslim world are all important to Bangladesh. The problem is not engagement with China or any other country. The problem begins when one relationship is used against another,” she said.
“It begins when anti-India rhetoric is encouraged for domestic politics. It begins when major decisions are taken without transparency,” Hasina added.
Bangladesh is passing through a “grave national crisis as democratic space has been “closed”, the Awami League leader said.
“The judiciary has been used for political revenge. Media freedom has been restricted. Law and order have weakened. Minorities feel unsafe. Extremist forces have regained space. The economy has suffered,” she said.
“This is no longer only an Awami League issue. It is a national crisis. One of the country’s largest political forces has been banned. Its leaders are in jail or forced into hiding,” Hasina said.
“Millions of its supporters have been denied normal political rights. A country cannot return to stability by excluding such a large section of its own people. The suffering is being felt across the country, but Awami League leaders, workers and supporters have faced an unprecedented burden of political persecution,” she said.
Without divulging specific details of her return to Bangladesh, she spoke about going back to restore democracy.
“Thousands have been jailed, many more have been forced into hiding, and families have lost homes, jobs, businesses and livelihoods simply because of their political identity,” Hasina said.
“My return is part of the struggle to restore democracy, voting rights and the rule of law. I want to stand beside the people of Bangladesh, fight for their rights, and help restore democracy, security and development in my country,” she said.
“The people of Bangladesh must be allowed to decide their own future through a free, fair and inclusive election. That is why my return will be significant. It will be a step towards returning Bangladesh to its people,” the former prime minister added.
While admitting that her return to Bangladesh could be risky as she was given a death sentence by a tribunal there, Hasina asserted that she was not afraid.