South Asian Correspondent

Tag: Sheikh Hasina

Nothing can be done if India refuses to send Sheikh Hasina back: B’desh FA

Dhaka : Bangladesh has no scope to bring back convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina unless India agrees to her return, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (10 December).

Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the adviser, however, stated that diplomatic efforts may be undertaken to persuade New Delhi.

Responding to recent remarks by the Indian external affairs minister regarding how long Sheikh Hasina will remain in India, the adviser said, “What can we do? Truly, nothing. India has to agree to send her back. If India does not agree, there is nothing we can do, except try to convince them.”

Regarding whether Sheikh Hasina, currently taking refuge in India, might relocate to another country, he said there has been no information through diplomatic channels indicating any such development.

Asked whether the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) might be dissolved, Touhid Hossain stated, “Institutions like DGFI exist in every country. It is not easy to disband them.”

Speaking on ongoing visa complications, he noted that Bangladesh’s visa challenges will not be resolved unless the production of fake documents is stopped.

He added that visa issuance for students remains entirely within the jurisdiction of the respective destination countries.

On the matter of opening new diplomatic missions, the adviser said the process is lengthy and, despite approvals, immediate launches are not possible due to financial constraints.

When asked about the possibility of forming a new regional bloc with Pakistan and China, excluding India, he declined to comment on the matter.

Hasina fled to India with her sister Sheikh Rehana on 5 August in the face of a mass uprising. She has been in India since then. She was recently sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal in a crimes against humanity case.

Following her conviction, Bangladesh formally wrote to the government of India to facilitate the return of Sheikh Hasina. Since she fled to India, the demand has been growing to have her repatriated to the country and face trial for the crimes committed by her administration during the July-August uprising.

December 10, 2025
‘Why not Sheikh Hasina?’: Hyderabad MP questions Modi govt’s plan on deporting Bangladeshis

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Photo: Hindustan Times/ANI

Hyderabad : Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) today (21 August) said that if the Indian government intended to deport illegal Bangladeshi nationals, it should begin with deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since her government was ousted in August last year.

“Why are we keeping that deposed leader in the country? Send her back. She is also a Bangladeshi, isn’t she?” Owaisi said in an interview with The Indian Express, reports Hindustan Times.

The AIMIM chief’s remarks came as he responded to questions on the alleged targeting of Bengali migrants across India.

He claimed that “poor Bengali-speaking Indians from Malda and Murshidabad” were being sent back from Pune to Kolkata and “dumped in no man’s land,” while India was providing shelter to “one Bangladeshi living in our country and creating problems by giving statements and speeches.”

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha member also alleged that police in different parts of India have been illegally detaining “Bengali-speaking Muslim citizens,” accusing them of being Bangladeshi, and that there have been “disturbing reports” of Indian citizens being sent to Bangladesh “at gunpoint.”

He described these individuals as “the poorest of the poor,” who are mostly slum-dwellers working as domestic workers and ragpickers.

Owaisi said they have been “targeted repeatedly because they are not in a position to challenge police atrocities.”

“Police do not have the power to detain people just because they speak a particular language. These wide-net detentions are illegal,” he had asserted, recalling a previous post on X where he condemned a similar order by a district magistrate in India’s Gurugram.

August 22, 2025
Bangladesh Govt warns media against broadcasting Sheikh Hasina’s speeches

By Md Shahadat Hossain

Dhaka : The interim government has warned Bangladesh’s television, news, and online media outlets against broadcasting speeches and audio clips of deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The government has termed such broadcasts a serious violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009.

The CA Press Wing, in a statement issued today (22 August), said that broadcasting the audio of the “convicted criminal” and an “accused fugitive” for genocide and crimes against humanity is a serious offence.

The statement referred to a ban on broadcasting hate speeches by the “former dictator” that was issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) last December.

“We regretfully note that some media outlets yesterday disregarded the law and court orders by broadcasting a speech of the ousted dictator in which she made false and provocative statements,” read the statement.

“We are warning the officials of these media outlets involved in such criminal broadcasts and firmly state that if anyone publishes Sheikh Hasina’s speeches in the future, immediate legal action will be taken.”

The statement highlighted that Sheikh Hasina fled the country after being accused of grave charges, including ordering the “genocide of hundreds of peaceful protesters” during the July uprising.

“She has been convicted by the ICT and is currently facing trial for crimes against humanity,” it said.

The government also noted that, in accordance with Bangladeshi law, the activities of the Awami League have been banned. “The Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 provides for legal action against any person or organisation that promotes, publishes, or broadcasts the activities or speeches of their [AL] leaders.”

The government urged the media to exercise caution and responsibility, as Sheikh Hasina’s speeches are intended to create instability and incite violence in the country.

“Broadcasting her comments, speeches, and any provocative statements risks damaging the stability of Bangladesh’s democratic transition. It only serves to confuse the public,” read the statement.

“Any media outlet that defies these restrictions will be subject to legal accountability under the laws of Bangladesh,” it added.

August 22, 2025
Bangladeshi officials testify against former British minister Siddiq in corruption trial

Tulip Siddiq stands beside Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (AP)

DHAKA: Bangladeshi anti-corruption officials testified in court on Wednesday against former British anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq, accusing of using a family connection to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to obtain state-owned land in the South Asian country.

Siddiq, who is Hasina’s niece, resigned from her post in Prime Minister Keir Starmer ‘s government in January following reports that she lived in London properties linked to her aunt and was named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.

She is being tried together with her mother, Sheikh Rehana, brother Radwan Mujib and sister Azmina. Siddiq has been charged with facilitating their receipt of state land in a township project near the capital, Dhaka. They are out of the country and being tried in absentia.

Siddiq’s lawyers have called the charges baseless and politically motivated.

Muhammad Tariqul Islam, a public prosecutor, disputed a claim by Siddiq that she is not Bangladeshi, saying the anti-corruption watchdog through investigations found that she is a citizen.

The prosecutor said if Siddiq is convicted she could be sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.

Siddiq in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian recently referred to Bangladesh as “a foreign country” and called the charges against her “completely absurd.”

She asserted to The Guardian she was “collateral damage” in the longstanding feud between her aunt and Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Hasina had a frosty relation with Yunus, and during her rule Yunus faced a number of cases including for graft allegations. Courts overturned those charges before he took over as interim leader days after Hasina’s ouster last year in a student-led uprising.

Separately, the anti-corruption investigation has alleged that Siddiq’s family was involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of money were said to have been embezzled.

August 13, 2025
Testimony against Sheikh Hasina’s crimes against humanity case begins tomorrow

From left ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, all of them are accused in the case. Collage: TBS

Dhaka : The prosecution will deliver its opening statement and testimonies in the case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others on charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising will begin tomorrow (3 August).

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has also scheduled the testimony of the first witness for the same day and approved a live broadcast of the court’s proceedings.

‘The opening statement of the case will be presented tomorrow. It will be broadcast live, subject to the court’s permission. The first testimony will also begin at the same time,” said Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim today (2 August).

In this connection, the ICT in Dhaka will begin formal hearings involving case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who are now facing charges.

The tribunal earlier accepted a petition from former IGP of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to testify as a state witness under the condition that he will fully disclose all truths.

During a previous hearing, Al-Mamun admitted responsibility for mass killings during the protests and offered to assist the court by revealing key details surrounding the alleged atrocities.

On 10 July, the tribunal indicted all three defendants rejecting appeals for dismissal of the charge against them and ordered to proceed with the trial process.

Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain fugitives while Al-Mamun remains in the custody.

State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain is representing the two absconding defendants. Al-Mamun is represented by attorney Zayed Bin Amzad.

The tribunal’s chief prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, led the prosecution team during indictment hearings, which were broadcast.

August 2, 2025
Modi extends Eid greetings to Sheikh Hasina

PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina. File Photo

Dhaka: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, conveying his warmest greetings on the occasion of the holy festival of Eid-Al-Adha.

In his letter, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that the festival reminds all of the values of sacrifice, compassion and brotherhood, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world.

He also described Eid-Al-Adha as an integral part of multicultural heritage.

Prime Minister Modi wished Prime Minister Hasina continued good health and wellbeing.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit New Delhi after Eid vacation, on her first bilateral visit to India after her reelection following January 7 national polls.

June 16, 2024
Unite as one world to demand the end of carnage against Palestinians: PM Hasina

Global leaders assemble virtually in the 2nd Voice of the Global South Summit 2023, which is hosted by India.

Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said It is time for all to unite as one world and demand the end of the conflict going on in Palestine.

“Here, I express my profound concern at the tragic, inhuman existence of the hapless Palestinians in the face of merciless carnage. It is time for all of us to unite as one world and demand the end of the conflict,” she said.

The prime minister made the call while addressing the 2nd Voice of the Global South Summit 2023, which is hosted by India on a virtual platform, from her official residence Ganabhaban.

She said that the theme of the summit, “Together for Everyone’s Growth with Everyone’s Trust” is most timely as it flags the pressing issue the world faces today, namely, “trust deficit.”

“It is the trust deficit among nations and lack of respect for international law that has led to the ongoing war in Europe and the carnage in Palestine,” she said.

Hasina mentioned that these conflicts call for an urgent need to create genuine trust and mutual respect among the warring nations and involved international actors.

“Our world is plagued with unbearable poverty, undesirable inequality, intolerable terrorism, and the catastrophic threat of climate change,” she said.

In addition, she said, there have now appeared sanctions and counter-sanctions, with new challenges and increasing hardship for the people of the Global South.

“In this critical time, the world must unite as one and strengthen ‘Everyone’s Trust’ to achieve ‘Everyone’s Growth’,” she said.

The PM opined that the Global South is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping our future although it is often vulnerable to various socio-economic challenges.

“These need to be addressed by allowing more space and voice for the Global South to enable the creation of a more equitable and peaceful world based on Everyone’s Trust,” she added.

She expressed Bangladesh’s commitment in this regard.

She mentioned that Bangladesh stands ready to share with the Global South its experiences on achieving food security, free housing, community healthcare, women’s empowerment, and climate adaptation.

She made some recommendations for the betterment of the Global South and the world.

The recommendations

First: As a keen advocate of promoting peace, she believes it is vital to uphold global peace and stability for the overall well-being of humanity.

“The Global South must maintain a united front against unilateral sanctions and counter-sanctions.”

Second: Women, as half of the global population, are crucial for the creation of inclusive and vibrant societies.

“As the longest-serving female leader, I know for sure that empowering women is a strategic necessity for a brighter and more equitable future.”

Third: All efforts are vital to limiting the global temperature to 1.5° Celsius.

“Increased financing and the transfer of relevant technologies for climate adaptation to the Global South are imperative.”

Fourth, The Global South as a major manpower-exporting country, should streamline migration in the development process to offer a better life to all and to contribute to economic growth in both host and home countries.

Fifth, LDCs are facing various economic challenges resulting from COVID-19 and conflicts in parts of the world.

“I urge here the continuation of duty, quota-free access, and other facilities for a good period for graduating LDCs and after their graduation.”

Finally, she stressed the importance of South-South and Triangular Cooperation for the promotion of global human development.

“I also urge development partners, international financial institutions, and stakeholders to generously support the Global South for a better future.”

India is hosting the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on Friday in a virtual format, in what will be the second time since January this year.

The Inaugural Leaders’ Session was chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The theme of the Inaugural Leaders’ Session is “Together, for Everyone’s Growth, with Everyone’s Trust” and that of the Concluding Leaders’ Session is “Global South: Together for One Future”.

November 18, 2023
PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurate rail, power sector projects between India, Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday, jointly inaugurated three rail and power sector development projects to strengthen partnership between the two South-Asian nations.

The three projects are the Akhaura Agartala Cross Border Rail Link, Khulna Mongla Port Rail Line and Unit – II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bangladesh, and were jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and Hasina via video conferencing.

“The joint inauguration of these important projects manifests the firm friendship and collaboration between our two friendly countries. I would like to thank PM Modi for the warm hospitality during my visit in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit,” the Bangladesh Prime Minister said during the launch.

She also expressed her gratitude for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between our two countries, Sheikh Hasina said.

The projects are briefly explained below:

Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link

The project has been executed under a Government of India grant assistance of Rs 392.52 crore extended to Bangladesh. The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with a 6.78 km Dual Gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km
in Tripura.

Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project

The project has been implemented under the Government of India’s concessional Line of Credit with a total project cost of USD 388.92 million. The project entails the construction of approximately 65 km of broad gauge rail route between Mongla Port and the existing rail network in Khulna. With this, Mongla, the second largest port of Bangladesh, gets connected with the broad-gauge railway network.

Maitree Super Thermal Power Project,

It comes under Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of 1.6 billion US dollars, and is a 1320 MW Super Thermal Power Plant located in Rampal in Khulna Division of Bangladesh.

The project has been implemented by the BangladeshIndia Friendship Power Company Limited which is a 50:50
Joint Venture company between India’s NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board. These projects will
strengthen connectivity and energy security in the region.

Sheikh Hasina also extended her greetings for Diwali to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India in advance.
“I would conclude her by conveying warm greetings in advance for the upcoming Diwali. I wish Your Excellency
PM Modi and the people of India a very Happy Diwali,” she said.

The theme of this year’s Dialogue is ‘Fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership’. Earlier this March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the
India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, a cross-border energy pipeline, built at an estimated cost of Rs 377 crore,
of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline was built at a cost of approx. Rs 285 crore, which has been borne
by the Government of India under grant assistance, read Prime Minister’s Office press release.

The Pipeline has the capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD). It will supply High-Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

The operation of India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and
environment-friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh.

Moreover, in September, the 15th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade (JWG) between India Bangladesh was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the two nations discussed various bilateral issues, including removal of port restrictions, the groundwork for the commencement of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

November 2, 2023
3 MoUs likely to be signed during PM Hasina’s India visit: FM Momen

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between Bangladesh and India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit on 8-10 September, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said today.

“Before the bilateral meeting with two prime ministers, three MoUs are likely to be signed,” Momen said at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

The MoUs are ‘Cooperation in the agriculture research sector’, ‘Cultural exchange’ and ‘Simplification of financial transactions between the common people of the two countries’, reports BSS.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh is participating in all the meetings of the 18th G-20 hosted by India, presenting its stance and recommendations on various issues, which have been well-received by the participating countries, including the host country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave the country on Friday on a Biman’s special flight to attend the 18th meeting of G20 (Group of Twenty) at the invitation of Indian premier Narendra Modi.

On 8 September, Bangladesh premier will attend the bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the afternoon.

Trade in Ruble, speedy completion of Rooppur plant to be discussed with Russian foreign minister

With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov due in Dhaka this afternoon – the first such visit since Bangladesh’s independence – Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said he will press his Russian counterpart for the speedy completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.

“There will also be discussions on means of [securing] timely equipment imports, fertilizer procurement, the Rohingya issue, and trading in the Ruble,” Momen said during the briefing.

The minister mentioned that Bangladesh purchases fertiliser from Russia, but there are transportation challenges.

“We will hold discussions to find an effective solution.”

He also mentioned that Russia has already undertaken initiatives to address certain issues in order to streamline trade between the two countries.

The minister noted that discussions have been ongoing for quite some time regarding commercial transactions in the local currencies of both countries.

He also addressed the inconveniences associated with trading in local currencies other than the dollar, primarily due to the scarcity of Rubles in Bangladesh.

“Trading in local currencies cannot be conducted at will. We require a suitable framework for this. I am uncertain if such a framework currently exists,” he added.

Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh at 5:15pm today.

He is slated to hold a meeting, a dinner, and a joint press briefing with his Bangladeshi counterpart tonight.

Following his meeting with the Prime Minister, the Russian Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka for India on Friday.

September 7, 2023
Dhaka Elevated Expressway is another milestone in communication: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pays toll to enter the expressway from the north end in Kawla area near the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday (2 September). Photo: PID.

Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the opening of Dhaka Elevated Expressway is another milestone in the country’s communication sector and it would play a significant role in reducing traffic congestion.

“This [Dhaka Elevated Expressway] is a new milestone in the communication sector. I have inaugurated Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP Project’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Farmgate portion. Work on its remaining portion will be completed soon,” she told a rally at the Old Trade Fair Ground at Agargaon after the formal inaugural.

The prime minister said she has given the expressway as a gift to residents of Dhaka and the people across the country, adding that it would play a great role in developing communication between the capital and the rest of the country.

“The long standing expectation of the residents of Dhaka has been fulfilled with the opening of the expressway. The expressway will play a great role in reducing traffic jams significantly,” she said.

Dhaka north and south localities that included Shahjalal International Airport, Kuril, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Farmgate, Moghbazar and Kamlapur will witness huge progress in reducing traffic gridlock, she opined.

The prime minister extended her heartfelt thanks to all concerned involved in building the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.

She inaugurated the much-awaited Dhaka Elevated Expressway’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport-Farmgate section for traffic by unveiling the inaugural plaque at the Old Trade Fair Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar this afternoon.

PM’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on the occasion.

A munajat was later offered seeking divine blessings for the welfare of the country and its people.

Dhaka South and North city corporation mayors Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Atiqul Islam, lawmaker from Dhaka-17 constituency Mohammad A Arafat and Road Transport and Bridges Affairs Ministry’s parliamentary standing committee Chairman Rawshan Ara Mannan were present on the dais while Secretary of the Bridges Division Md Monjur Hossain gave the welcome address.

The prime minister was the first person who paid toll on the expressway after driving through it to Farmgate.

The Road Transport and Bridges minister received Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana with flower bouquets on their arrival at the Kawla and Old Trade Fair Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar ends. After the inauguration, colorful balloons were released at the Kawla site.

After opening the expressway at Kawla end, the premier departed for the Old Trade Fair Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to attend a civic rally marking the grand opening of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway in the afternoon.

The Airport-Farmgate section will be opened to traffic tomorrow, the next day of the formal inauguration, officials said.

The length of this section is about 11.5 km. The total length of the elevated expressway is 46.73 km covering Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

There are 15 ramps for boarding. Out of these, two ramps at Banani and Mohakhali will remain closed for the time being. Initially, 13 out of 15 ramps in this part will be opened. The ramps at Banani and Mohakhali will be opened once their construction is complete.

Initially, the speed limit on the expressway will be 60 km per hour and vehicles need 10 minutes to travel the 11 km distance from the HSIA to Farmgate. Three wheelers, bicycles and pedestrians will not be allowed to move on the expressway, while motorbikes cannot run on it right now.

The total expenditure of the project is estimated at Tk8,940 crore, while the viability gap funding is Tk2,413 crore, which will be provided by the Bangladesh government.

Construction of the second phase Banani Railway Station to Moghbazar Railway Crossing is progressing fast.

September 2, 2023