Dhaka Slams Delhi Over Exiled PM's Press Appearance, Straining Ties Further

Bangladesh has sharply criticized India for permitting S…

Bangladesh has sharply criticized India for permitting Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister now living in exile, to hold a press conference in New Delhi, pushing their already fragile diplomatic relationship to a new low.

The government in Dhaka accused its neighbor of handing a public stage to an individual it describes as a fugitive and a "convicted genocider," while also charging that the move undercuts ongoing efforts to stabilize bilateral ties. The rebuke follows Hasina's defiant statement that she intends to return to Bangladesh by December, despite a death sentence handed down by a Bangladeshi court on charges of crimes against humanity.

The incident has intensified friction between the two South Asian nations, which have seen relations deteriorate since Hasina was ousted from power amid widespread protests. Bangladesh's foreign ministry summoned India's envoy to lodge an official protest, arguing that the event in Delhi undermined mutual trust and respect for legal processes.

Analysts note that the public spat highlights the

Analysts note that the public spat highlights the deepening rift between the neighbors, once close allies under Hasina's rule. India has maintained that it must balance its humanitarian obligations toward the exiled leader with its strategic interests in the region, but Dhaka sees the gesture as an affront to its sovereignty.

As both sides dig in, the prospect of meaningful dialogue appears increasingly remote, with observers warning that the standoff could have broader implications for regional diplomacy and cross-border cooperation on trade, security, and shared waterways.