Dbarta24 International Desk — The Indian government has formally clarified that it has no involvement in an upcoming virtual media event featuring ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Addressing concerns raised by Dhaka, New Delhi emphasized that it holds no responsibility for any views or statements expressed during the program.
The clarification was issued by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a routine press conference on Tuesday following reports that Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to speak virtually on Wednesday, August 5.
“The event you are referring to is being organized by a private media organization. The government has no involvement in it. Whatever opinions may be expressed on that platform, the Government of India does not endorse any of them,” Jaiswal stated.
Dhaka’s Diplomatic Concerns
Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since leaving Dhaka in August 2024. Bangladesh recently conveyed its concerns regarding her potential virtual address, warning that such public commentary could adversely impact the improving bilateral ties between the two neighboring nations.
The matter was reportedly raised on Monday during a meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi.
High-Level Invitations Extended to PM Tarique Rahman
Amid efforts to maintain strong diplomatic channels, the MEA spokesperson confirmed that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been officially invited to visit India. The bilateral invitation was extended shortly after PM Rahman assumed office in February.
Furthermore, India has separately invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the Outreach Session of the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit.
Jaiswal explained that as Bangladesh currently holds the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the invitation aligns with the convention of including heads of regional blocs in BRICS outreach dialogues.
A senior official from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously confirmed receipt of the BRICS summit invitation, which has been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office for a final decision.
Looking Ahead
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12–13. Bangladesh’s role as the current BIMSTEC chair comes ahead of hosting the regional organization’s 30th-anniversary summit in Dhaka in 2027.
By drawing a clear boundary between private media forums and official diplomatic engagements, New Delhi aims to safeguard its ongoing bilateral cooperation with Dhaka while fostering high-level state contacts.