India-Bangladesh Relations: Sheikh Hasina Blames Yunus’ Interim Govt For ‘Hostility Towards New Delhi’ | India News

India-Bangladesh Relations: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has harshly criticized the interim government led by Muhammad Younis as the neighboring country is currently witnessing unrest following the outbreak of violence last week. He accused the government of empowering extremist elements, fueling anti-India sentiments and weakening democratic structures.

In an email interview with news agency ANI, Sheikh Hasina touched on the growing hostility towards India in Bangladesh and the security of Indian diplomats. He claimed that recent tensions were deliberately planned.

ANI quoted the ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister as saying: “This hostility is being generated by extremists encouraged by the Younis regime.”

“These are the same actors who marched on the Indian embassy and attacked our media offices, attacking minorities with impunity and forcing me and my family to flee for our lives,” he added.

Sheikh Hasina also alleged that Younis “installed such persons in positions of power and released convicted terrorists from prison”.

The former Prime Minister stated that New Delhi’s concerns regarding the safety of its diplomatic staff are well-founded.

“A responsible government protects diplomatic missions and prosecutes those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus gives immunity to hooligans and calls them warriors,” he said.

Upon the decision given to her by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Hasina rejected the decision on the grounds that it was politically motivated. “This decision has nothing to do with justice, it is completely about political liquidation,” he said.

Alleging injustice, Usuli added: “I was denied the right to defend myself and was deprived of lawyers of my choice. The court was used to conduct a witch hunt in the Awami League.”

Despite these allegations, Hasina said she continues to believe in Bangladesh’s constitutional foundations. “But my faith in Bangladesh’s institutions has not been lost. Our constitutional tradition is strong and justice will prevail when legitimate governance is re-established and our judiciary regains its independence,” he said.

Amid tensions in India-Bangladesh relations, including Dhaka’s move to summon the Indian ambassador, Hasina handed over the responsibility to the interim administration. “The tension you are witnessing is entirely due to Yunus,” he said.

He accused the party of adopting a hostile attitude towards India, failing to protect minorities and allowing the influence of extremists in policymaking.

Highlighting bilateral relations, Hasina said, “India has been Bangladesh’s most loyal friend and partner for decades,” adding that the relationship was “deep and fundamental” and would “outlast any interim government.”

Referring to the killing of Sharif Usman Hadi, Hasina said that the incident showed the prevailing collapse of law and order. He said persistent instability was damaging Bangladesh’s standing abroad.

“When you fail to maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses,” Hasina said. he said.

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About the growing role of Islamist forces, Hasina said: “I share this concern, as do millions of Bangladeshis who prefer the safe, secular state we once were.”

He claimed that Younis “installed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups affiliated with international terrorist organizations to take a role in public life.”

“This should alarm not only India but every country invested in the stability of South Asia,” he said, adding: “The secular character of Bangladeshi politics was one of our greatest strengths.”

Responding to statements by some Bangladeshi leaders referring to the Siliguri Corridor or “Chicken’s Neck”, Hasina termed such statements “dangerous and irresponsible”.

“No serious leader can threaten a neighbor on which Bangladesh depends for trade, transit and regional stability,” he said.

Emphasizing that such views did not reflect public opinion, she said, “These voices do not represent the Bangladeshi people,” and expressed confidence that “once democracy is restored and responsible governance returns, such reckless talk will end.”

On signs of rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hasina said Bangladesh has traditionally adhered to the principle of “friendship to all, evil to none” but criticized the actions of the interim leadership.

(with ANI entries)