Hasina’s India-based address deepens tensions with Bangladesh

The Story in Brief

Exiled former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said she intends to return home by December to face trial, in a virtual media conference from India. Dhaka’s Tariq Rahman-led government called the address an assault on Bangladesh’s sovereignty and objected to India allowing it. The Federal spoke to senior journalist Subir Bhaumik about the dispute and its wider implications.

Bhaumik argues that India sees no major risk in permitting Hasina’s address and believes Dhaka still depends on New Delhi for electricity and river-water arrangements. He also points to China’s proposed $9 billion infrastructure investment and US concerns about Bangladesh’s strategic direction. Indian security officials, he says, remain worried about threats to Hasina from Islamist factions and Pakistan’s ISI if she returns.

The Indian Opinion

The lazy version is that India either wants to humiliate Dhaka or is shielding Hasina without limits. The source supports neither conclusion. New Delhi faces a real diplomatic cost, while Hasina’s safety could become a serious security problem if she returns. Claims about Chinese and Pakistani influence also need evidence, not dramatic speculation. The useful test is whether Dhaka can guarantee a lawful trial and credible protection before December.

Source: thefederal.com

This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.

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