Exiled former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her gratitude to the people of India for providing her a “safe haven” during her stay in the country.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Hasina said she was “deeply thankful” to India for its support and dismissed claims by Bangladesh’s interim government that her presence in India has strained bilateral relations.
The ousted leader also acknowledged that “mistakes were certainly made” by security forces while handling the student-led uprising and public unrest that swept across Bangladesh during last year’s revolt.
Hasina accused the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus of destabilising the country and undermining Bangladesh’s long-standing ties with India. She described the current political situation in Dhaka as “repressive” and “hostile to democracy.”
Denying charges brought against her in the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal, Hasina called the proceedings politically motivated, alleging that the cases were intended to silence her and disenfranchise her supporters.
Labeling the tribunal a “kangaroo court,” she appealed to the international community to ensure fairness and transparency in the judicial process.
Reaffirming Bangladesh’s deep ties with India, Hasina said the relationship between the two nations was built on “shared sacrifices, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace in South Asia.
