New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) India on Monday issued a guarded response to the death sentence handed down to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the nation’s International Crimes Tribunal, saying it has noted the verdict and is committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs also said that India will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders for ensuring peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in Bangladesh.
The statement, which noticeably put double quote marks on the words “International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh”, to signify that it is a purely domestic tribunal, read:
“India has noted the verdict announced by the “International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh” concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“As a close neighbour, India remains commited to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end.”
Notably, Sheikh Hasina has been living in self-exile in India since August 5, 2024, when she fled Dhaka after so-called student led protesters, comprising mainly of Islamists, stormed her residence-cum-official building, demanding her ouster.
The country’s interim government, led by Mohamed Yunus, had earlier requested India to hand over Hasina to face trial in her country, a request that New Delhi has not responded to over the past several months.
Relations between the Yunus regime, which has been cosying up to Pakistan ever since August 2024, and India have remained strained over numerous issues, including the targeting of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and the noticeable anti-India rhetoric by members of the interim government’s advisors.
Earlier in the day, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death by the ICT of Bangladesh after being found guilty of “crimes against humanity” for her alleged role in the crackdown on student-led protests in July-August 2024 that led to the collapse of her government.
