Bangladesh has told India it must clarify its position over Sheikh Hasina's planned New Delhi address, saying political activity by fugitive accused persons could damage bilateral ties.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told journalists late Monday that Dhaka was moving with a forward-looking vision and did not want that progress disrupted.
He said Bangladesh had repeatedly raised concern over political statements by Hasina and other Awami League leaders from Indian soil, and that India had earlier indicated it did not expect fugitives to engage in such activity from its territory.
Obaed Islam stressed that the event was not organized by the Indian government and said Dhaka could take up the matter through diplomatic channels if needed.
The Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia has scheduled the event, saying Hasina, 78, would take part by video link along with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other speakers.
Neither India's foreign ministry nor the event organizers gave an immediate response when asked for comment.
Hasina has been in India since she was ousted on 5 August 2024 amid deadly protests, and she has said she plans to return to Bangladesh by December this year.
In 2025 she was sentenced to death in a case over the crackdown on protesters, a verdict she has rejected; the United Nations estimated up to 1,400 people were killed in the unrest.