Dhaka: Amid stated ‘outrage’ from Bangladesh, the Indian government on Friday reiterated that it had “no role” to play in deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent press conference in New Delhi, nor does it endorse what was said at the event, where Sheikh Hasina spoke virtually.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the Indian government had no involvement in the event, which was organized by a private media entity. During a regular briefing, Jaiswal clarified, “And the government does not endorse anything said at the Forum, especially with regard to the duly-constituted government of Bangladesh.”

The MEA Spokesperson noted that India continues to monitor developments in its neighborhood closely, keeping its national security interests in mind, and would take necessary measures accordingly.

Bangladesh expressed outrage over Sheikh Hasina’s interaction with the media in New Delhi, describing it as “venomous vitriol” against Bangladesh and its people, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Dhaka. The statement conveyed regret that despite prior concerns about the event’s potential impact on bilateral relations, it was allowed to proceed.

The MoFA statement further criticized the interaction, marking it as an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty on the second anniversary of the July Revolution, and a grievous insult to the revolution’s martyrs. The Ministry condemned Hasina’s attempts to deny facts established by the United Nations regarding atrocities committed during July-August 2024.

Bangladesh asserted its commitment to the spirit of the July Revolution, vowing never to return to the “dark days of fascism” and rejecting Hasina’s attempts to influence the country’s polity. The government highlighted its desire for a constructive relationship with India, grounded in sovereign equality and mutual respect.

Regrettably, Bangladesh’s requests to extradite Hasina under the 2013 treaty with India have gone unanswered, and the MoFA expressed its disapproval of Hasina’s media interaction, viewing it as detrimental to harmonious bilateral relations.