‘India restrains Hasina from political speeches’
Staff Reporter :
The Indian government has reportedly asked former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to refrain from making political statements, according to South Asia affairs expert Prof Radha Dutta.
She claimed that India is reassessing its position on Bangladesh and has begun shifting away from some of its earlier policy stances.
Since taking refuge in India following her ouster, Hasina has repeatedly commented on the interim government and the political transition in Bangladesh—remarks that Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and several analysts have described as potentially destabilising for the country’s political environment.
Despite repeated requests from Dhaka urging New Delhi to restrict Hasina’s public statements, India had not taken any visible action until recently. However, her presence and activity on social media have significantly diminished in recent weeks, prompting speculation that India has intervened.
“India has sent a clear message to Sheikh Hasina not to make any further comments against Bangladesh,” Prof Radha Dutta said, adding that New Delhi’s move reflects a careful recalibration of its regional approach.
“India wants assurance that no threats will emerge to its security interests from Bangladesh,” she added.
Former Bangladeshi ambassador Abdul Hai interpreted the development as a signal that India is departing from its long-held policy of unwavering support for Hasina. “Whether India ultimately hands over Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh will depend on how its relationship evolves with the next elected government,” he said.
Analysts note that this apparent restraint on Hasina marks a significant moment in India’s shifting engagement strategy with post-Hasina Bangladesh, suggesting that New Delhi is prioritising stability and pragmatic diplomacy over political loyalty.