India's Ministry of External Affairs denied any involvement in a planned media appearance by Sheikh Hasina during a briefing in New Delhi [1].
The statement comes as India navigates complex diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and seeks to maintain stability in the region. By distancing itself from Hasina's individual communication strategy, India aims to project a neutral stance regarding the internal political dynamics of its neighbor.
Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, addressed the issue during a bi-weekly media briefing on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2026 [2]. The briefing served as a platform to provide updates on India's foreign policy and respond to pressing international queries [1]. Regarding the media appearance scheduled for Aug. 5, 2026 [3], Jaiswal addressed the rumors of state coordination.
"The government has no involvement whatsoever," Jaiswal said [2].
Beyond the matter of Sheikh Hasina, the spokesperson used the briefing to address the broader state of bilateral relations. Jaiswal said that India supports a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh [4]. This positioning emphasizes India's preference for a stable, legitimate governance structure in the neighboring nation.
Jaiswal also addressed digital misinformation circulating on social media. He specifically refuted claims regarding foreign funding linked to certain protests, including those associated with the Cockroach Janta Party [5].
"The claims are misleading," Jaiswal said [5].
Additionally, the briefing touched upon other domestic and foreign policy matters. This included a reference to the NEET-UG agitation, which had lasted 37 days [6]. The MEA utilized the session to fact-check various posts and remarks that had surfaced online, asserting the need for accurate information in diplomatic discourse.
“"The government has no involvement whatsoever."”
This denial is a strategic effort by New Delhi to avoid being perceived as interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs. By explicitly distancing itself from Sheikh Hasina's media activities and debunking rumors of funding protests, India is attempting to preserve its diplomatic credibility and prevent domestic unrest in Bangladesh from being attributed to Indian state policy.
