The Indian government has officially distanced itself from a virtual event featuring Bangladesh’s ousted former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. During a weekly press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian government has no involvement in the program, which is being organized by a private media entity.
Addressing concerns raised by Dhaka regarding Hasina’s planned address at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) of South Asia, Jaiswal emphasized that India does not support or endorse any opinions expressed in such private forums. He reiterated that the event is entirely independent of the Indian state, and the government bears no responsibility for the content or the platform provided for her remarks.
The issue of Hasina’s potential public engagement has caused friction, with Bangladesh expressing deep concern that such activities could negatively impact the recent positive momentum in bilateral relations. This matter was reportedly discussed on Monday during a meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s foreign affairs advisor, Humayun Kabir, and India’s newly appointed High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the media event, Jaiswal provided updates regarding diplomatic invitations. He confirmed that Prime Minister Tareque Rahman received a formal invitation to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS summit, scheduled for September 12 and 13 in New Delhi. This invitation was extended to him in his capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC, following standard diplomatic protocols for regional bloc leaders.
The Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged receipt of the BRICS invitation, noting that it has been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office for a final decision. Officials highlighted that the invitation is particularly significant as BIMSTEC approaches its 30th anniversary in 2027, a year in which Dhaka is slated to host the BIMSTEC summit.
Jaiswal also recalled that since taking office in February, Prime Minister Tareque Rahman had previously been invited to India for a bilateral visit. These developments underscore the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations, even as they navigate sensitive issues regarding the presence of former leadership figures and the broader regional cooperation framework.