Staff Reporter :
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated that the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh is an internal affair, while expressing India’s intention to maintain strong ties with its eastern neighbour.
In an interview with NDTV, Jaishankar emphasised the interconnectedness of neighbouring countries and the significance of stability in regional relations.
“We have a good relationship with Bangladesh—strong trade, people-to-people ties—and we want to keep it that way,” Jaishankar stated. He stressed that while Bangladesh must manage its own internal dynamics, India remains committed to sustaining the productive and stable relationship that has existed over the years.
Bangladesh has been gripped by civil unrest in recent weeks, triggered by a student-led protest movement against government job quotas.
The demonstrations escalated into widespread violence, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Following her resignation, Hasina fled Dhaka aboard a military aircraft and is reportedly in the custody of Indian intelligence agencies after landing at an Air Force base near Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Early reports suggested Hasina was considering seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. However, sources from the British Home Office clarified that the UK’s rules prohibit individuals from entering solely for political asylum. Hasina’s future remains uncertain, though Jaishankar informed Parliament last month that her office had requested permission for her to flee to India on short notice. He added that the Indian government was willing to give Hasina the time to decide her next steps, which could potentially include political retirement.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who has taken control of the government, reaffirmed his desire to maintain a robust relationship with India. However, he emphasised that this relationship must be based on fairness and mutual respect. “We want the world to recognise Bangladesh as a respected democracy,” Yunus said during a televised address, adding that he had received a congratulatory phone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Yunus also issued a stern warning to Hasina, urging her to remain silent to safeguard the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India until a formal request for her extradition is made. “If India wants to keep her until Bangladesh asks for her return, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet,” Yunus reportedly told NDTV.
In his interview, Jaishankar touched on other international issues as well, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and India’s potential role as a peacemaker. He also addressed remarks made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei regarding the Gaza war, and commented on the significance of India’s expanding diplomatic engagements during the first 100 days of Prime Minister Modi’s third term in office.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of political uncertainty, India’s emphasis on maintaining regional stability and its relationship with Dhaka will be closely watched by international observers.