Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus for straining ties with India, says 'will return to Bangladesh only if...'

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has laid out clear conditions for her return to Bangladesh, while sharply criticising the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for damaging the country’s relationship with India.

Speaking in an exclusive email interview with PTI, Hasina expressed deep gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Indian government and people, stating she was “immensely grateful to India’s government and its people for their kind hospitality.”

Hasina said her coming back to Dhaka depends on the restoration of what she described as “participatory democracy.” “The most important condition for my return to Bangladesh is the same condition that the Bangladeshi people require: a return to participatory democracy. The interim administration must rescind its ban on the Awami League and allow elections that are free, fair, and inclusive,” she said.

She additionally admitted that her government lost control during recent protests and called it “regrettable.”

“Obviously, we lost control of the situation and that was regrettable. … In my view, some of the responsibility is also on the so-called student leaders (actually seasoned political firebrands) who whipped up the crowds.”

Hasina accused the interim Yunus administration of harming the traditionally strong relationship between Bangladesh and India. She said: “India has always been Bangladesh’s most important international relationship.”

“Yunus’ hostility to India is foolish and self-defeating in the extreme and reveals him for the weak monarch he is, unelected, chaotic, and dependent upon the support of extremists.”

She concluded: “The broad and deep relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi should be able to withstand the foolhardiness of the Yunus interlude.”

Ban on Awami League is a major hurdle

Hasina warned that if the ruling party is kept out of the electoral process, then any upcoming vote would lack legitimacy. She said: “Tens of millions of people support us… That would be a huge missed opportunity for our country, which badly needs a government ruling with the people’s genuine consent.”

She stressed the importance of the party playing a role whether in government or opposition:

“Whether in government or in opposition, the Awami League needs to be part of the political conversation in Bangladesh.”

The bigger picture

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, amid violent anti-government protests and is currently living in exile in India. The country now has an interim government under Muhammad Yunus, which has drawn criticism from her for alleged democratic back-sliding and increased influence of extremist groups.

By making her return conditional on sweeping political changes and condemning the interim leadership, Hasina’s remarks deepen the political fault lines in Dhaka and underline the risks for the Bangladesh-India partnership if current trends continue unchanged.