surrender in December: Hasina to Reuters

Phultala Desk:

 Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in Bangladesh and currently in exile in India, said she plans to return to the country in December this year along with senior leaders of her party and voluntarily surrender to the court. In a nearly hour-long telephone interview with the British news agency Reuters, she announced a possible timeframe for her return to the country for the first time.

Hasina's exile and strained relations between Dhaka and Delhi

Sheikh Hasina's extradition plan could create a new polarization in the politics of Bangladesh, known as a garment exporting country; as the Dhaka administration tries to restore stability in the country after the political upheavals of the past two years.

On the other hand, her return could help thaw Bangladesh's relations with India, which have deteriorated significantly since New Delhi granted her asylum. Bangladesh has already been repeatedly urging India to hand over Sheikh Hasina.

Although she has previously answered written questions from various media outlets since going into exile, this is the first time Sheikh Hasina has given a direct interview. She said she has not consulted any foreign government about returning to the country. She also spoke for the first time about the possibility of other exiled Awami League leaders, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (who is also sentenced to death), surrendering simultaneously.

Meanwhile, neither the Bangladesh government spokesperson nor the Indian Ministry of External Affairs immediately commented on the statement. However, in April, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that it was examining Bangladesh's request and wanted to engage constructively with the new government to further strengthen bilateral relations.