The Indian government said it has no involvement in a virtual address by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina scheduled for Aug. 5 [1].
This clarification comes as India seeks to manage bilateral relations with Bangladesh and avoid the perception that it is supporting the ousted leader's political return. The event is expected to be Hasina's first public appearance since her removal from power [4].
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the interaction is being organized by a private media entity. He said that the government does not endorse any views expressed at the forum [2]. The event is being hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi [1].
"The interaction you are referring to is being organised by a private media entity," Jaiswal said. "The government has no involvement whatsoever in it and does not endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum" [2].
Reports indicate this will be Hasina's first media interaction in two years [3]. The Indian government issued its statement on Aug. 4 [2] to address concerns regarding how the address might impact diplomatic ties with the current administration in Bangladesh.
"India has no involvement whatsoever in Sheikh Hasina's presser," Jaiswal said [1].
By distancing itself from the event, India is attempting to maintain a neutral diplomatic stance while the former prime minister remains in the country. The government said that the organization of the press conference remains entirely with the private entity involved [3].
“"The government has no involvement whatsoever in it and does not endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum."”
India's proactive denial of involvement suggests a delicate balancing act between providing sanctuary to a former ally and maintaining stable diplomatic relations with the current government in Dhaka. By framing the event as a private media venture, New Delhi aims to prevent the virtual address from being interpreted as an official state-sponsored platform for the ousted leader.
