3 weeks ago
India Distances Itself From Sheikh Hasina's Press Conference
Sheikh Hasina used to be the leader of Bangladesh, but she had to leave her country in 2024 after big student protests.
Now she lives in India.
Last Wednesday, she gave a video press meeting from New Delhi, which was her first talk with reporters since she left.
India's foreign ministry said it had nothing to do with this meeting.
India said the meeting was organised by a private group of journalists called the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia.
India also said it does not agree with the things Hasina said during the meeting.
Hasina said she wants to go back to Bangladesh in December, even if it might be risky for her.
The government of Bangladesh was very upset about the meeting.
Bangladesh said the meeting was rude and unfair to its country and its people.
India said the meeting should not be seen as India supporting Hasina's words.
India's External Affairs Ministry Friday reiterated it had no role in Sheikh Hasina's press interaction and does not endorse remarks made at the forum.
The event was organised independently by the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) of South Asia, a private media entity.
Hasina's virtual news conference on Wednesday marked her first media address since fleeing Dhaka on August 5, 2024.
Hasina said she wants to return to Bangladesh in December despite risks of imprisonment or a death sentence.
Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry called the briefing an 'affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh' and 'a grievous insult' to the 'martyrs of the July Revolution.'
- Who
- India's Ministry of External Affairs and spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- What
- India reiterated it had no role in Sheikh Hasina's virtual press briefing, organised by the private Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, and said it does not endorse remarks made at the forum.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, where Hasina's virtual press briefing took place.
- When
- The clarification came on Friday, following Hasina's virtual press briefing on Wednesday, which marked her first media address since departing Bangladesh in 2024.
- Why
- India sought to dispel concerns of official involvement after Dhaka criticised the briefing as an 'affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh,' drawing diplomatic tension.
India's Position
Bangladesh's Position
Nature of the Press Briefing
India's Position
India says the event was hosted independently by a private media entity, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, and the government had no role in or endorsement of the views expressed.
Bangladesh's Position
Bangladesh called the briefing, conducted from Indian soil, a 'grievous insult' to the 'martyrs of the July Revolution' and an 'affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh.'
Impact on Bilateral Relations
India's Position
India reiterated its non-involvement and non-endorsement, implying the event should not be attributed to the Indian government.
Bangladesh's Position
Bangladesh warned that such events could affect efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
Hasina's Political Activity from Indian Soil
India's Position
India said it does not endorse the remarks but did not say it would prevent them; it added it would take all necessary measures to secure its national security interests.
Bangladesh's Position
Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humayun Kabir requested New Delhi's assistance in preventing Awami League figures, including Hasina, from using Indian soil to make political remarks.
Key facts
- MEA Spokesperson
- Randhir Jaiswal
- Event Organiser
- Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) of South Asia
- Press Briefing
- Hasina's first virtual media address since departing Bangladesh in 2024
- Hasina's Return Plan
- Wants to return to Bangladesh in December this year
- Bangladesh's Response
- Called the briefing an 'affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh'
- Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor
- Humayun Kabir, who sought India's help to prevent Awami League figures from using Indian soil for political remarks
Quotes
Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry
“"The government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity, and the government does not endorse anything said at the forum, especially with regard to the duly constituted government of Bangladesh."”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
thestatesman.com
rediff.com
“"I am determined to return to Bangladesh in December to put the country on the "right track" by restoring democracy, notwithstanding the risk of imprisonment or a death sentence."”
rediff.com
Sources
No role, no endorsement: India distances itself from Sheikh Hasina’s press conference
India Clarifies Stand on Sheikh Hasina Presser, Says 'No Endorsement'
India distances itself from Hasina’s virtual press meet, says it does not endorse her remarks
India distances itself from Hasina's media interaction, says no role in it
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