Bangladesh Slams India Over Fugitive Former Leader

​The diplomatic air between Dhaka and New Delhi has turned heavy once again. On a quiet Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh released a statement that was anything but quiet. The reason? Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina just broke her long silence with a fiery public address from Indian soil.

​For the interim government in Bangladesh, this was not just a speech. It was a provocation. They used strong words like "surprised" and "shocked" to describe their reaction to India allowing a fugitive to use its capital as a platform. The timing could not be more sensitive. Bangladesh is currently standing at a crossroads, trying to steady itself before a major national election scheduled for February 12, 2026.

​The Speech That Sparked The Fire

​Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August 2024, after a massive student-led uprising forced her to leave the country. For over a year, she remained largely out of the public eye. That changed on January 23, 2026. Through an audio message played at a press club event in New Delhi, the 78-year-old leader didn't just speak; she issued a call to action.

​In her first public address since her ouster, she called the current interim administration a "puppet regime." She urged her supporters and the people of Bangladesh to "rise united" and overthrow the government led by Muhammad Yunus. According to her, the current leadership is incapable of holding free and fair elections. She described the state of the country as a "valley of death" and alleged that law and order have completely collapsed.

​For many in Bangladesh, hearing these words coming from a leader who is currently wanted back home for serious crimes was a bitter pill to swallow. The interim government viewed her remarks as a direct attempt to incite terror and derail the upcoming democratic process.

​Dhaka's Sharp Reaction

​The response from Dhaka was swift and stern. The Foreign Ministry made it clear that they view this incident as an affront to the people of Bangladesh. In their eyes, Sheikh Hasina is not just an exiled politician; she is a convicted fugitive. In November 2025, a court in Dhaka found her guilty in absentia for crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death.

​Dhaka’s main grievance is twofold. First, they are frustrated that India has not yet acted on the formal extradition requests sent under their bilateral treaty. Second, they find it unacceptable that while the extradition request sits unanswered, the "fugitive" is allowed to hold public events and make political pronouncements that threaten the stability of her home country.

​The statement from the ministry warned that allowing such events sets a "dangerous precedent." It suggested that this could seriously harm the ability of any future elected government in Bangladesh to work closely with India. When you look at the history of these two neighbors, this is a significant shift in tone.

​The India Factor

​India now finds itself in a very tight spot. For nearly 15 years, Sheikh Hasina was New Delhi’s closest ally in the region. During her rule, the two countries saw what many called a "golden era" of cooperation in security, trade, and connectivity. When she fled to India in 2024, New Delhi provided her shelter on humanitarian grounds, citing the long-standing friendship.

​However, the world has changed since August 2024. The new leadership in Dhaka is looking for accountability for the deaths that occurred during the uprising. By hosting Hasina, India is already walking a tightrope. By allowing her to speak publicly against the current administration, India risks being seen as taking sides in Bangladesh’s internal politics.

​Indian officials have generally remained quiet about the extradition requests, likely weighing the legal complexities of their own Extradition Act against the diplomatic costs of saying no. But this latest event makes the "quiet" approach much harder to maintain.

​A Country On The Edge

​To understand why this speech caused such a stir, you have to look at the atmosphere inside Bangladesh right now. The country is less than three weeks away from a general election. This is the first time the nation will vote after the fall of a regime that lasted a decade and a half.

​The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, is trying to manage a fragile transition. They have banned the activities of Hasina’s party, the Awami League, citing their involvement in the violence during the 2024 protests. In this environment, a call from the former leader to "overthrow" the government is seen as an attempt to spark fresh unrest.

​People on the streets are divided. Some still hold loyalty to the old guard, while many others are terrified of a return to the past. The fear is that such speeches could lead to clashes between political factions, making the February 12 polls a target for violence rather than a celebration of democracy.

​The Extradition Dilemma

​The elephant in the room is the 2013 extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh. Usually, these treaties are used for common criminals. Using them for a former head of state who faces a death sentence is a different ballgame entirely.

​India has a "political offense" exception in its law, which allows it to refuse extradition if the charges are deemed politically motivated. However, Bangladesh argues that "crimes against humanity" cannot be categorized as simple political offenses. This legal tug-of-war is likely to continue for months, if not years.

​In the meantime, every time Sheikh Hasina speaks, the diplomatic temperature rises. For Dhaka, it is a matter of sovereignty and justice. For New Delhi, it is a matter of protecting an old friend while trying to build a bridge with a new, skeptical neighbor.

​What Happens Next?

​The next few weeks will be critical. If more public addresses follow, the relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi could hit a new low. Bangladesh has already signaled that it will hold the Awami League responsible for any violence that happens during the election period, and by extension, they are pointing a finger at the host country that allows these messages to be broadcast.

​The February 12 elections will be the ultimate test. If they go off peacefully, the interim government will have the mandate it needs to deal with India from a position of strength. If there is chaos, the accusations against "incitement from abroad" will only grow louder.

​For now, the bridge over the Padma River is feeling the strain. Diplomacy is often about what is left unsaid, but right now, both sides are finding it very hard to keep their thoughts to themselves. The world will be watching to see if India chooses to restrict Hasina’s public activities or if Dhaka takes further diplomatic steps to show its displeasure.

​One thing is certain: the "Golden Era" of relations is currently on hold, and the shadow of the former Prime Minister continues to loom large over the future of both nations.