Advisor Zahed
Bringing Sheikh Hasina back is a matter between Bangladesh and India
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Prime Minister's Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has called Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in the student-people uprising, a "heinous criminal." He said the process of bringing her back is a bilateral matter between Bangladesh and India.
He said this when journalists asked for his reaction to the United States' position on the repatriation of Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
The information adviser said, "One of our convicted and heinous accused is in India. We want her back. This is a bilateral matter between us, and we are continuing those discussions."
In 2024, Sheikh Hasina lost power in the July uprising and has taken refuge in India. Meanwhile, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death.
Although Dhaka has repeatedly called on Delhi for repatriating Sheikh Hasina, there has been no response from Delhi. In the meantime, on September 24, the U.S. State Department said it believes Bangladesh and India will resolve the crisis over Sheikh Hasina themselves.
Today, at a press conference at the Secretariat, a journalist asked for the Information Advisor's reaction to the matter.
In this when Zahed Ur Rahman said discussions with India on the issue of Sheikh Hasina's repatriation are continuing from Bangladesh's side. He also raised the matter during a meeting with India's high commissioner in Bangladesh.
"Whoever I meet, I am informing India of the area of Bangladesh's discomfort. I hope they will take measures in this regard."
Highlighting the magnitude of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's crimes, he said, "She did not just commit murder; what she has done is called a crime against humanity. This is a crime of a different magnitude.
"We want her, and India must hand her over."
U.S. deal 'will not affect' Rooppur
Prime Minister's Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman assured that even though Bangladesh has signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, it will not affect the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant built with Russian assistance.
In response to a journalist's question on this, he said he does not fear any such impact.
Noting that Bangladesh must keep various options open for future energy security, the adviser said, "Bangladesh will engage with whoever and wherever necessary in its own interest."
Referring to the tensions in relations between the United States and Russia, he said that although there is a crisis between the two countries, Bangladesh's foreign minister has met with Russia's foreign minister. Bangladesh will maintain relations and communication with various countries, including India, Russia, and Turkey, as needed.
The advisor was also asked whether the United States had any involvement in the incident in which a plane transporting uranium from Russia for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was unable to use Pakistan's airspace.
In response, he said he has no specific information on the matter.
However, in the case of international relations, Bangladesh will continue communication with the relevant countries as needed, he added.
