Delhi reiterates previous stance

Despite Dhaka's strong reaction to the press conference held by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to Delhi in the face of a mass uprising and has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, the Indian government has only reiterated its previous position.

At the weekly briefing on Friday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal answered a question from a reporter, reiterating that the Indian government had no role in the event and that the government does not support anything said during it.

Hasina spoke via audio call at a press conference organised by The Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of the fall of the Awami League government.

She also answered various questions from journalists at the event.

Awami League President Hasina said she will return to the country in December, but did not announce a specific date.

In her speech, she alleged that some organisations had turned the 2024 student protests into a "violent movement", but did not provide any evidence on the matter.

In November, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for ordering deadly action to try and suppress the student-led 2024 movement.

Hasina avoided answering questions about whether she would express her regret or apologise for the killings at that time.

The Awami League chief criticised the interim government of Muhammad Yunus as well as the current BNP government.

She claimed that the government is now running on debt.

Bangladesh had previously sought the cooperation of the Indian government to prevent Hasina, who is a "fugitive suspect" in the eyes of the court, from conducting political activities in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir said the event Hasina spoke at was organised by a private media-related organisation.

"Let me say that I have already stated the government's position on the issue before the press conference happened. You would have seen those remarks if you were present here," he said.

"I am reiterating it here. The government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity."

He added that, "The government does not endorse anything said at the forum, especially with regard to the duly constituted government of Bangladesh."

The Bangladesh government reacted angrily on Wednesday night after Hasina was allowed to hold the presser despite Dhaka informing Delhi of its objection.
    �"bdnews24