Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Hasina praises India, affirms December return is personal decision
Sheikh Hasina used to lead Bangladesh, but she had to leave the country and now lives in India.
She spoke to reporters at a big meeting in India's capital city, Delhi.
Hasina said India has always been a good friend to her.
She said she wants to go back home to Bangladesh in December.
Hasina explained that going home is her own personal choice, not something decided by any government.
Her son joined the meeting by video from America and thanked India's leader, PM Modi, for treating his mother kindly.
Hasina wants to bring back the pride and victory symbols of Bangladesh's freedom war from 1971.
She faces a death sentence in her home country, but she said she still has to go.
Hasina's son also claimed that spies from other countries now operate openly in Bangladesh, which he said worries them.
Sheikh Hasina praised India as "always a great friend" and her son thanked PM Modi for the "utmost respect" shown to her.
Hasina reiterated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, calling it a personal decision and not a government matter.
Hasina has lived in exile in India since a volatile student-led demonstration in 2024 and faces a death sentence in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy said his mother is being treated "very well" in India and that the trip back has not been discussed with Dhaka.
Sajeeb Wazed alleged Bangladesh has become "another Pakistan" where foreign intelligence agencies, including ISI, operate openly.
- Who
- Sheikh Hasina, former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League President, and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy; the event also involved India's PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman.
- What
- Hasina held a press conference in Delhi praising India and reiterating her plan to return to Bangladesh in December as a personal decision, not a government matter.
- When
- The press conference was held on a Wednesday; Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh in December without specifying a date or time.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, with Sajeeb Wazed Joy joining online from the United States.
- Why
- Hasina wants to return to Bangladesh to restore the pride and symbols of the Liberation War victory, saying she believes in a secular democratic system.
Hasina camp
Bangladesh government
Hasina's return to Bangladesh
Hasina camp
Hasina says her December return is a personal decision and not a government matter, and that she wants to restore the pride and symbols of the Liberation War victory.
Bangladesh government
Sajeeb Wazed confirmed the family is not in communication with the Bangladesh government and that Hasina is proceeding regardless of what the government wants, indicating official opposition to her return.
Foreign intelligence influence
Hasina camp
Sajeeb Wazed alleges Bangladesh has become "another Pakistan" where foreign intelligence agencies, including ISI, have an "open hand" and terror elements operate "openly".
Bangladesh government
The Bangladesh government's response is not reported in the article; the allegation is presented without an official rebuttal.
- Person
- Sheikh Hasina, former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League President, aged 78
- Current status
- Living in exile in India after a volatile student-led demonstration in 2024
- Legal situation
- Death sentence awarded in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity
- Planned return
- December, as a personal decision; no specific date or time given
- Press conference location
- New Delhi, India
- Key assertion
- Return is a personal decision and does not involve conferring with the Indian government
- Bangladesh Liberation War
- Ended in December 1971; Bangladesh liberated on December 16, 1971
- US engagement
- US Special Envoy Sergio Gor met Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on economic cooperation