Bangladesh Minister Calls Hasina ‘Terrorist’, Says She Is Hurdle To PM Rahman’s India Visit

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has described former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as a “terrorist” and said her activities from India are the principal challenge to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi, even as Dhaka says the trip has never been ruled out.

Kobir said Hasina and her associates in India were a major obstacle to normalising ties between the two neighbours. He accused them of trying to destabilise Bangladesh from India and said Dhaka expected New Delhi to restrain such activities.

“ Sheikh Hasina and her team are stationed in Delhi and they are trying to destabilise a foreign country sitting in Delhi,” Kobir told The Hindu, according to a report published Monday. He also described Hasina as a “terrorist” and claimed she was responsible for the deaths of around 2,000 Bangladeshis during the crackdown on the July Uprising. These are allegations made by the Bangladeshi minister.

Kobir nevertheless said Bangladesh remained committed to dialogue with India and that discussions on Rahman’s visit were progressing positively. He said the trip would be bilateral and should take place at a “conducive” time and within a “proper bilateral framework”.

“Nothing gets resolved just over a phone call. We are having discussions, and things are positive,” Kobir told reporters in Dhaka on Monday. He did not give a specific date for the visit.

India’s invitation to Rahman remains open. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said last week there was no need to rush the visit and that it should take place at a mutually convenient time. Reports had earlier indicated that Delhi and Dhaka were exploring a possible window in the second half of November, although no date has been confirmed.

The dispute over Hasina has intensified since she fled to India after being ousted in August 2024. Dhaka has sought her extradition, while India has said the request is being examined under established legal procedures.

Another major issue is the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which is due to expire in December 2026. Kobir said Bangladesh’s committee was ready and Dhaka was awaiting India’s response on the matter.

Kobir also praised Trivedi and said Bangladesh hoped New Delhi would be receptive to his assessment of the situation. He stressed that India remained an important partner and said Dhaka wanted to resolve outstanding differences through dialogue.