India was duty-bound to shelter Hasina, says envoy

A senior Indian envoy has defended the country's decision to grant shelter to Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, characterizing the move as a fulfillment of diplomatic duty. Hasina fled Bangladesh and arrived in India after her government's collapse in August 2024, a development that triggered significant political upheaval in the neighboring nation.

The envoy's remarks underscored that Hasina retained her status as Bangladesh's Prime Minister at the point of her departure, thereby establishing India's responsibility under established international protocols. Such considerations, according to the statement, obligated New Delhi to provide sanctuary to a sitting head of government facing extraordinary circumstances in her home country.

The situation reflects the complex diplomatic dynamics between India and Bangladesh, particularly in handling the transition of political power. Hasina's presence in India since August has remained a sensitive issue, given the political transformations occurring in Dhaka and the expectations of various stakeholders regarding her possible return or continued exile.

India has maintained its position that the decision was taken on humanitarian and diplomatic grounds, emphasizing the country's commitment to upholding international norms governing the treatment of displaced national leaders. Officials have noted that such matters fall within the scope of standard inter-governmental relations during periods of political transition.