Published: 12:18 AM, 15 November 2026
Sheikh Hasina's time has come and that time is over: Dan Mozena
Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena has cautioned that Sheikh Hasina's presence in India should not be allowed to dictate Dhaka's relations with New Delhi. He said Bangladesh's national interests should not be sacrificed because of the former Prime Minister's political future.
In an interview with a Bangladeshi English-language newspaper, Mozena discussed several issues, including the future of Sheikh Hasina's role in Bangladeshi politics.
Initially, Mozena declined to comment directly on Hasina's future political role. He said, "I have no comment on Sheikh Hasina and her role. However, there are millions of current and former members of the Awami League."
When asked specifically about Hasina's political future, he said it was difficult to be certain. However, he added, "My personal sense is that her time has come, and that time is over."
Nevertheless, Mozena believes Hasina may continue to remain present in political discussions.
"That does not mean we will never hear from her again. But as far as occupying the highest position of power is concerned, my sense is that it will not happen again," he said.
Mozena also made a clear distinction between Sheikh Hasina's political future and the future of the Awami League. Before the mass uprising of 2024, the party had governed Bangladesh for more than 15 consecutive years.
However, Mozena declined to comment on whether India should extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh.
"I have no particular opinion on what India should or should not do. I do not want to get into that discussion," he said.
Instead, he emphasized the importance of finding ways to move relations forward with India, Bangladesh's largest neighbour.
Mozena said Sheikh Hasina was no longer the prime minister of anything. She was living somewhere in Delhi, doing her own thing and writing various pieces.
"Fine, set that aside. Do not remain preoccupied with her. Instead, focus on advancing Bangladesh's interests," he said.
The former US ambassador said he did not support allowing Sheikh Hasina to hold Bangladesh's foreign policy hostage in its relations with India, one of the country's most important international partners.
He further emphasized, "Sheikh Hasina is not the priority; the people of Bangladesh come first."
Mozena, who served as the US ambassador to Bangladesh from 2011 to 2014, during Hasina's government, said her rule had created deep resentment and suffering among many people-experiences that would not easily be forgotten.
He said many people had suffered horrific abuses at the hands of that government. Such incidents, he added, were not something that could simply be erased at will.
However, Mozena believes that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman must move beyond the political resentment surrounding Sheikh Hasina and focus on improving Bangladesh's relations with India.
"A leader's responsibility is to advance the interests of his country. Tarique Rahman must fulfill that responsibility as well," he said.
To achieve this, he believes Bangladesh must work with India on critical issues such as border management, trade, water-sharing, migration and global climate change.
"These problems are not going to disappear. So, you have to find ways to communicate and negotiate to address them," Mozena said.
Since Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in the mass uprising of August 2024, her continued stay in Delhi has emerged as one of the major sources of tension between the two neighbouring countries. Bangladesh has expressed concerns over India allowing Hasina to remain there and make political statements from Indian soil. Her various remarks about returning to Bangladesh have also added to the uncertainty.
Asked whether Hasina had become an obstacle to relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, Mozena replied, "Yes, naturally, that would be the case."
Mozena also said that his experience as the US ambassador throughout Hasina's government had given him a clear understanding of her style of governance.
"My entire time in Bangladesh was spent under the government led by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. So, I know her style of governance quite well. I understand the damage and bitterness she has left behind," Dan Mozena said.
However, he urged Bangladesh not to allow these grievances to influence the formulation of its foreign policy.
