DHAKA:Bangladesh has strongly objected to remarks made by its exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a speech in India and urged New Delhi to prevent her from making what it described as “false and misleading” statements, the country’s foreign ministry stated on Friday.
In response, India summoned Bangladesh’s envoy, clarifying that Hasina’s views were her own and did not reflect India’s stance. The Indian government emphasized that linking her statements to official policy could strain diplomatic relations.
Tensions between the two nations have been escalating since Hasina fled to India in August following violent protests in Bangladesh, which resulted in over 1,000 casualties.
During an online address on Wednesday, Hasina called on her supporters to resist the interim government, accusing it of unlawfully taking control. Meanwhile, protesters attempted to set fire to the residence of Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader and Hasina’s father, in response to her speech.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned India’s acting high commissioner to express its concerns. “The ministry has formally requested the Indian authorities to take immediate action to prevent her from spreading misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric in the spirit of mutual respect,” the statement read.
Hasina was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, India countered by summoning Bangladesh’s acting high commissioner, criticizing the Bangladeshi government for fostering “persistent negativity” through its statements.
India’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong bilateral ties while urging Bangladesh to engage constructively rather than create diplomatic tensions.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the attack on Rahman’s home, labeling it an act of vandalism.
Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, appealed for calm, calling for an end to violence against properties linked to Hasina’s family and Awami League politicians. “Any deterioration in law and order will send the wrong message to the international community,” Yunus warned.
