Lead

India has denied any involvement in organizing a virtual speech by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is set to make her first public appearance since fleeing Dhaka. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, is being hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi.

"The government has no involvement whatsoever in it and does not endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum," India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Tuesday. He added that the interaction is being organized by a private media entity.

Coverage Comparison

Both Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle reported India’s denial, quoting the same statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. Al Jazeera emphasized the implications for India-Bangladesh relations, while Deutsche Welle noted that Jaiswal did not comment on Bangladesh’s specific objection that Hasina should not be allowed to conduct political activity from Indian soil.

Key Claims

  • India has denied any role in organizing a virtual speech by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to mark the second anniversary of the uprising that ousted her.
  • Sheikh Hasina is due to make her first public appearance on Wednesday, albeit by videolink, since she fled Dhaka, at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi alongside her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and other speakers.
  • Bangladesh had asked India to clarify its stance on Hasina’s planned address, warning New Delhi that allowing political activities by Hasina and other leaders of her Awami League party could hurt bilateral ties.
  • Hasina was sentenced to death in 2025 for crimes against humanity over her crackdown on the demonstrations, a verdict she has dismissed as legally void.
  • Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated following the political upheaval in Bangladesh in July 2024 that ousted Hasina, a close New Delhi ally.
  • Bangladesh on Tuesday banned the local media from airing Hasina’s speech.
  • Hasina told the Reuters news agency last month that she and other Awami League leaders plan to return from exile around December and present themselves in court.