Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Rejecting Bangladesh’s claims that India has become the hub of Awami League activities, New Delhi has said it was not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities in the country.
Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, whose elected government was overthrown by Pakistan-supported and anti-Hindu Islamic fundamentalists in August 2024, has been living in India even as Dhaka clamped dozens of fabricated cases against her and her party leaders
New Delhi’s comments came after Bangladesh’s interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus, claimed that the opening of Awami League offices in Indian cities could adversely impact bilateral ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said New Delhi is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law.
“The government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
“The press statement by the Interim government of Bangladesh is thus misplaced,” he said.
“India reiterates its expectation that free, fair, and inclusive elections will be held at the earliest in Bangladesh to ascertain the will and mandate of the people,” he added.
In its statement, Dhaka claimed on Wednesday that the opening of Awami League offices in Indian cities poses a risk to bilateral ties.
“This development also risks upholding the good-neighbourly relations with India driven by mutual trust and mutual respect, and lends serious implications for the political transformation underway in Bangladesh,” its foreign ministry said.
It alleged the Awami League has set up offices in India against the backdrop of what it described as “growing anti-Bangladesh activities” by the leadership of the party from Indian soil.
Many senior Awami Party leaders, “absconding” in several criminal cases in Bangladesh on account of “grievous crimes,” were in Indian territory, it alleged.
Such political activity “against the interests of Bangladesh” is an “affront against the people and State of Bangladesh.”
There has been a sharp downturn in India-Bangladesh relations after deposed PM Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka in a helicopter on August 5, 2024, and took shelter in India in the face of a massive anti-government protests.
Bangladesh is likely to hold phased parliamentary elections next year.