Dhaka Raises Alarm Over Awami League’s Presence in India
Bangladesh’s caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has alleged that banned Awami League offices have been set up in New Delhi and Kolkata, warning that such activities could strain bilateral ties with India.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said the move risked undermining “good-neighbourly relations based on mutual trust and respect” and could impact the political transformation underway in the country.
The ministry claimed that senior Awami League leaders many facing criminal charges in Bangladesh were using Indian soil for political activities, including a planned outreach event at the Press Club of India in July.
India Denies Anti-Bangladesh Activities, Calls Allegations “Misplaced”
Responding to Dhaka’s concerns, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the allegations, saying it was “not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India.”
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that India does not allow “political activities against other countries” from its territory. Calling the claims “misplaced,” he reiterated India’s expectation that Bangladesh hold “free, fair, and inclusive elections at the earliest” to reflect the will of its people.
Strained India-Bangladesh Ties Under Muhammad Yunus Government
The latest row comes against the backdrop of already tense relations since Muhammad Yunus’s interim government assumed power last year.
New Delhi and Dhaka have clashed repeatedly over minority rights in Bangladesh, particularly attacks on Hindus and other communities. India has also imposed trade restrictions on Bangladeshi exports via land borders, citing non-tariff barriers from Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has sought the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled Dhaka in August 2024 and has been living in self-exile in New Delhi. India has not yet responded to the request.
Awami League Leaders in Exile Face Criminal Cases in Dhaka
According to the Bangladeshi government, several senior Awami League leaders accused of “grievous crimes” are currently in India.
The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka recently sentenced Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court, while also charging her with crimes against humanity, enforced disappearances, and a crackdown on protestors in 2024. Human rights groups, however, have questioned the legitimacy of these cases.
Dhaka has urged New Delhi to take immediate steps to prevent “anti-Bangladesh activities” on its soil, warning that failure to act could harm the relationship between the two closest neighbours.
