Review the final output In an exclusive telephonic interview with Indian media on September 2, 2026, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina challenged recent claims by the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, asserting her return to Bangladesh is driven by a duty to the people—not a quest for power. Speaking from abroad, she disputed allegations that tied her return and possible property in India to the cancellation of a trip by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, expected to New Delhi.
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## Key takeaways from Hasina’s interview
– Hasina plans to return by **December**, saying Bangladesh’s political crisis cannot go on indefinitely. She noted that she will share the exact date, time, and entry point “in due course.”
– She condemned accusations that her August 5 press conference in India damaged Bangladesh-India ties or impacted diplomatic visits. She emphasised that not even foreign governments had objected when Tarique Rahman, son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, held political meetings from London—despite his prior commitment to avoid political activity.
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## Alarming domestic conditions, says Hasina
Hasina painted a stark image of Bangladesh’s current situation, contrasting it with the progress achieved during her party’s rule:
– Economic indicators have deteriorated: GDP growth has slumped to **2.22%**, down from **6.80%** under Awami League governance. For the first time in 54 years, the industrial sector reported **negative growth**.
– Poverty and joblessness have escalated, with over **20 million newly unemployed**, while shortages afflict electricity, gas, and fertilisers. Access to essentials has worsened.
– The legal system, she said, has been weaponised for political retribution, with over **600 fabricated cases** launched against her. Many Awami League members are in exile or forced underground.
Hasina warned these conditions pose not just a domestic crisis but a threat to stability in the wider region, affecting bilateral ties and raising concerns over extremism.
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## Extradition claims and political conditions
The BNP government has reportedly linked Hasina’s extradition to Tarique Rahman’s proposed India trip. She strongly contested this connection, saying courts and diplomacy should operate independently.
When asked if fears of arrest or harm influenced her return timeline, Hasina replied she wasn’t motivated by personal risk: “My return is not about power. It is about standing beside the people.”
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## Views on defence, diplomacy, and foreign collaborations
Hasina criticised the BNP’s recent spike in military cooperation with China, particularly referring to a **$2.3-billion J-10CE combat aircraft deal**. She correlated it with shortages in societal essentials, electricity, and fertilizer supply—pointing out that investment in defence, while needed, should not overshadow urgent public welfare.
She also referenced development deals with India under her administration, especially relating to the Teesta river project, though declined detailed commentary on BNP’s current engagements.
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## Security warnings: “Another Pakistan”?
Hasina endorsed concerns raised by her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, about extremism’s resurgence. She clarified that the term “another Pakistan” encompasses elements like communal polarization, weakened institutions, and rising terror networks—not entire nations.
She pointed to international intelligence, including from the UN Security Council, that extremists may be trying to establish a footprint in Bangladesh. Recent explosive-related incidents tied to networks such as Neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh reinforce these threats.
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## Personal reflections: loss, exile, and reconnecting
Hasina recalled surviving an assassination attempt in Dhaka on **August 21, 2004**, when grenades thrown at her rally killed 24 people and injured more than 300. She described exile as familiar territory but emotionally taxing: “Separation from the people never becomes easy.”
She expressed longing for rural Bangladesh: for “the faces, language, simple trust and the soil of rural Bengal.” She said she remains closely connected with party workers, daily political life, and the hardships people endure—despite physical separation.
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## Awami League’s resilience and offer of democratic contest
Hasina emphasised that the Awami League—founded in 1947 by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—has always been rooted in democratic principles and public service. She rejected allegations that her party acted illegally.
Responding to criticism for actions taken against Awami League leaders—mass arrests, destruction of homes, or banning of the party—Hasina insisted that legitimacy should come from elections. She asserted that power seized unlawfully does not legitimize restricting a political institution built from popular support.
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## Implications for Bangladesh and region
Hasina outlined that what she calls a compromised political framework and weakened institutions in Bangladesh pose risks beyond its borders:
– Political instability could have cascading effects on regional security—especially as extremist groups, undercut democratic norms, gain influence.
– Humanitarian and legal concerns also tie into migration, border security, and India-Bangladesh relations, particularly when democratic values are challenged.
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