Hasina’s Activities in Delhi Main Obstacle to PM’s India Visit: Humayun Kabir

The main challenge to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned visit to India is the activities of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders and activists based in Delhi, Foreign Minister Humayun Kabir has said.

He made the remarks in an interview with Indian newspaper The Hindu. Responding to questions from The Hindu on the sidelines of the ‘Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026’ organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in Dhaka, the minister said India needs to understand the “challenges faced by the newly elected government” in Bangladesh. He also said the activities of exiled Awami League leaders would not be helpful to India either.

Calling on India to restrain Sheikh Hasina and her associates, Humayun Kabir said, “The visit will be bilateral, but there are some challenges, and we will overcome them through discussions. We are not asking for too much regarding the main challenge. Sheikh Hasina and her people are in Delhi, and they are trying to destabilise another country while sitting in Delhi. This does not benefit India either.”

He accused Sheikh Hasina of being responsible for the deaths of around 2,000 Bangladeshi citizens during the suppression of the July-August 2024 uprising and described her as “a terrorist”. He said Bangladesh’s people need a “clear break” from the past, as many sacrificed their lives in the process of ousting the government of Sheikh Hasina, who had remained in power for more than 15 years.

The state minister, however, said discussions with India are ongoing and that Dhaka has welcomed the talks. Stressing that relations with India are a priority for Bangladesh, he said, “We are seeing some positive signs as India is trying to restrain them. That is the normal practice between the two countries. If they (Ms. Hasina and her associates) are kept under control, there will be no problem in bilateral relations.”

Referring to the role of Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Humayun Kabir said, “The prime minister’s visit will take place at a favourable time, and I am optimistic about it. The prime minister has never said that he will not visit India.”

Describing the Awami League leadership as an “obstacle” to normalising Dhaka-New Delhi relations, Humayun Kabir said, “The Indian High Commissioner is playing a good role here. He is making efforts, and I hope Delhi will accept his views. If they give importance to his views, we are ready to engage in all areas. We are continuing our discussions.”

The state minister said Bangladesh is ready to discuss all issues but expects some “reciprocity” from India.

Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh would not allow anyone to operate from its territory against India’s interests and expects similar action from India. “When the two governments sit down for discussions keeping their national interests in mind, every issue can be resolved,” he said.

The Hindu’s reporter is visiting Dhaka as a guest of the Centre for Governance Studies to attend the Bay of Bengal Conversation.

Overall, the Prime Minister’s planned visit to India could mark an important point in bilateral relations. However, the presence of Sheikh Hasina and her party in India is complicating the process. If India takes restrained measures and gives due importance to the High Commissioner’s advice, Dhaka-New Delhi relations could move forward.