Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong anger and deep concern after fugitive convicted former leader Sheikh Hasina, who is staying in India, was allowed to hold a direct media interaction in Delhi. In a statement issued Wednesday, the ministry said Hasina and her associates made abusive remarks against the Bangladeshi state and its people. It described the appearance, held on the second anniversary of the July Revolution, as an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and a grave disrespect to the revolution’s martyrs.

The ministry said Bangladesh had previously conveyed its concerns to the Indian government about the event’s possible negative consequences, but the gathering was nevertheless permitted. It said Hasina and her associates were unsuccessfully attempting to reverse the course of history by denying atrocities against innocent civilians, including children, during July and August 2024, citing United Nations-established information.

Dhaka said the public remains committed to preventing a return to fascism and to ensuring Bangladesh never becomes subordinate to another state. The statement said India had not responded to multiple Bangladeshi requests to return Hasina under the 2013 Bangladesh-India extradition treaty. Bangladesh said it seeks constructive, mutually beneficial and forward-looking relations with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference.