Bangladesh political turmoil sparks India and China security concerns

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the virtual media interaction with former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, held in New Delhi, was organised by a private entity and the government does not endorse any remarks made there. At the forum Hasina claimed Bangladesh’s situation has worsened after what she called a “rigged” election that brought the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to power, and said she would return to Bangladesh by year‑end. The Bangladeshi government labelled her a convicted genocider, urged her extradition and called the event an affront to its sovereignty.

Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also speaking from New Delhi, warned that post‑Hasina Bangladesh could become a source of regional insecurity, likening it to “another Pakistan on India’s eastern front”. He highlighted recent policy shifts such as the revocation of the ban on Jamaat‑e‑Islami, the resumption of direct Dhaka‑Karachi flights, alleged ISI activity in Bangladesh, and expanding Chinese projects like the Mongla Port Economic Zone. These developments have raised alarm in India over security risks on its eastern border.