India’s Foreign Policy Should Not Be Held Hostage to Hasina Issue: Dan Mozena
Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Mr. Dan Mozena has warned that the presence of Ms. Sheikh Hasina in India should not control India’s ties with Bangladesh and its foreign policy. He said Bangladesh’s national interest should not suffer because of Ms. Hasina’s political future. In his words, Ms. Sheikh Hasina’s time has come and that time is over too.
Mr. Mozena spoke on Bangladesh politics and ties with India and the United States in an interview with an English language media outlet of Bangladesh. Asked about Ms. Hasina’s political future, he said it is hard to say anything for sure. But his personal view is that she has no chance to return to the top power in Bangladesh. Still, she may remain present in political talk.
The former US diplomat declined to comment on whether Ms. Sheikh Hasina should be extradited. But he thinks she should not be allowed to block progress in ties with India. Mr. Mozena said Ms. Hasina is no longer prime minister of anything. She stays in Delhi, does things her own way and writes various pieces. He said Bangladesh should not stay busy with her and should focus on advancing its own interests.
He said the people of Bangladesh come first, not Ms. Sheikh Hasina. India is Bangladesh’s most important international partner. In ties with India, Ms. Hasina should not be allowed to hold the country’s foreign policy hostage.
Mr. Mozena said many people felt deep anger and suffering during Ms. Hasina’s rule. He said many suffered terrible torture under her government. These events are not easy to forget. But past political anger should not block the way to future ties.
In Mr. Mozena’s view, Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman must focus on improving ties with India. A leader’s duty is to advance the country’s interest. For this, talks with India must go on over key issues such as border, trade, water sharing, migration and climate change.
Ms. Hasina fell from power in the mass uprising in August 2024. Her stay in India has since become one of the main sources of tension between Dhaka and New Delhi. Bangladesh has also raised concern over her political statements from India.
Asked whether Ms. Hasina has become an obstacle in Dhaka and New Delhi ties, Mr. Mozena said that naturally it should be so. He served as US ambassador to Bangladesh from 2011 to 2014. His whole diplomatic stay was under Ms. Hasina’s government. So he knows her style of rule well, along with the anger and bitterness she left behind. But he stressed finding ways of contact and talks with India in Bangladesh’s national interest, setting these matters aside.
