India A Longstanding Friend, Says Sheikh Hasina, Explains Yunus' 'Troubles' With Delhi | Exclusive

Last Updated:November 13, 2025, 09:08 IST

The former Bangladesh prime minister blamed Yunus’ sponsorship of extremists, failure to protect religious minorities, and anti-India rhetoric for the tense ties with New Delhi

The former prime minister was also clear in the support she sought from India as a “steadfast friend”. (AFP)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has termed India a “longstanding friend" and extended her gratitude to the country for its “patience" as it “waits for a leader with the authority and expertise to return our country to stability".

In her first extensive conversation since leaving Dhaka, Hasina, while speaking to CNN-News18’s Manoj Gupta, also said Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus’s troubles with India “have nothing to do with me".

“India is a longstanding friend, and I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me. As Bangladesh’s most important ally, India has an interest in seeing a stable, legitimate and democratically elected regime in Dhaka backed by the support of its people," she said.

Asked if Indian agencies and the political leadership had treated her as a strategic partner needing protection, or as a liability in the new geopolitical equation emerging in Dhaka, Hasina said: “Yunus’s evident problems with Delhi have nothing to do with me. They are caused by his sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect religious minorities, and the anti-India rhetoric emanating from his administration. These are actions of an inexperienced leader who does not recognise the value of our partnership. I am grateful for India’s patience as they wait for a leader with the authority and expertise to return our country to stability."

The former prime minister was also clear in the support she sought from India as a “steadfast friend".

“India has already provided sanctuary and diplomatic support, calling for inclusive elections and highlighting minority persecution. The Awami League does not need rebuilding within Bangladesh while it commands the support of tens of millions of ordinary Bangladeshis. The ties that bind our countries run very deep, and this will not change. All we ask from India, as our steadfast friend, is that she support ordinary Bangladeshis in their desire to choose their own government and disregard the hostility of the Yunus administration, which does not represent what most of our countrymen and women think."

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

News world India A Longstanding Friend, Says Sheikh Hasina, Explains Yunus' 'Troubles' With Delhi | Exclusive

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