Published: 09:17 AM, 08 August 2026
Indian government does not endorse Sheikh Hasina's comments: Jaiswal
India has stated that it does not endorse remarks made by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a virtual news conference on August 5 in New Delhi regarding Bangladesh's duly constituted government.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated the stated position that the press event was organised by a 'private media entity' and that the government had no involvement in the press event.
"We have made our stand clear before the event. I am reiterating that position. The government had no role to play in an event organised by a private media entity," Jaiswal told the media.
"And the government does not endorse anything said at the forum, especially with regard to the duly constituted government of Bangladesh," he said.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising and remains a fugitive, joined a press conference via audio call on Wednesday evening. The event was organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi.
Before the event, the Bangladesh government had formally conveyed its objection to India. It had also warned that allowing Sheikh Hasina to engage in political activities from Indian soil could hinder efforts to normalise bilateral relations.
Responding to the press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh had said it was "outraged" by the press interaction by Hasina and various members of the Awami League.
"On a day when the people of Bangladesh are observing the second anniversary of the July Revolution, this interaction by Sheikh Hasina on the Indian soil stands as an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh and a grievous insult to the martyrs of the July Revolution," said the Ministry in Dhaka in a statement on August 5, 2026.
Later Home Minister of Bangladesh Salahuddin Ahmed had also questioned the press conference and said, "Why India gave opportunity to Hasina to hold the press conference is all that I want to ask."
>>Chanchal Chakraborty, AA
