Summary It was her first such interaction with the media since her ouster in 2024
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Wednesday that the ban on her Awami League party should be lifted and reiterated that she would return to her country.
Hasina's comments were made during a media interaction hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi – on the second anniversary of her ouster in 2024.
Hasina had been expected to address the event virtually by video but delivered only an audio message.
It was not immediately clear why she did not appear on video, unlike her party colleagues and her son, who spoke before her.
It was her first such interaction with the media since her ouster.
Also Read: Bangladesh demands India extradite convicted ex-PM Hasina
Earlier, Bangladesh has asked India to clarify its stance on Sheikh Hasina's address from New Delhi, warning that allowing political activities by a fugitive could hurt improving bilateral relations.
The issue comes as Dhaka continues to seek Hasina's extradition from India, where she has lived since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024.
Despite multiple cases against her, Hasina told Reuters in an interview that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December.
"We are moving forward with India with a forward-looking approach. We don't want that progress to be affected," Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters late on Monday. "India has to be clear about its stance."
