State Minister for Foreign Affairs responds to Hasina's remarks on returning to Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said that diplomatic communication with India remains ongoing to bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted of crimes against humanity.

She said the government is not attaching importance to Sheikh Hasina's recent remarks, made through various international media outlets and virtual platforms, expressing her intention to return to Bangladesh.

The State Minister made the comments while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (July 9).

Following the student-led mass uprising in 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India. She was later sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal after being convicted of crimes against humanity. In recent weeks, Hasina has made statements through various international media outlets and online platforms expressing her determination to return to Bangladesh.

Clarifying the government's position, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam said that the political statements of a convicted individual have no bearing on the government's policy decisions. She added that, under the existing prisoner exchange agreement, Bangladesh has maintained the necessary diplomatic initiatives and formal communication with India to secure Sheikh Hasina's return. According to the State Minister, there has been no shortcoming in the government's diplomatic efforts in this regard.

Regarding the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, she said that regular diplomatic dialogue between Bangladesh and India is continuing on the issue. Bangladesh believes that, considering mutual interests, regional cooperation, and the importance of bilateral relations, India will play a constructive role and that meaningful progress can be achieved in the near future.