‘She Can Stay For As Long As She Wants’: Jaishankar On Sheikh Hasina's Exile In India

Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 19:48 IST

Jaishankar says Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India is her personal choice after fleeing Dhaka amid violence. He urges a fair election in Bangladesh and hopes for stable ties.

EAM S Jaishankar | File Image

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Saturday said that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India is a “personal decision" which depends on the “certain circumstance" that forced her to flee to New Delhi.

When asked if Hasina was welcome to stay in India for “as long as she wants," Jaishankar, while speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, said, “She came here in a certain circumstance, and that circumstance is clearly a factor in what happens to her. But that is something she must decide."

The Union Minister further underlined India’s long-standing preference for a credible and democratic political process in Bangladesh.

Referring to past political issues in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, “What we heard was that people in Bangladesh, particularly those who are now in power, had an issue with how the elections were conducted earlier. Now, if the issue was the election, the first order of business would be to do a fair election."

Jaishankar further expressed optimism about future bilateral ties, saying that he is confident that whatever emerges from a democratic process in Bangladesh will reflect a “balanced and mature view" of relations with India, and that things are likely to improve.

Hasina, who led Bangladesh for 15 years, fled to India in August 2024 following student-led protests that killed hundreds and left thousands injured.

Hasina, who resigned, was recently sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the protests. The court found Hasina guilty on three counts, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year that led to the fall of her Awami League government.

Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition, which New Delhi says remains under “consideration."

The neighbouring country is currently governed by a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

News india ‘She Can Stay For As Long As She Wants’: Jaishankar On Sheikh Hasina's Exile In India

Read More