Washington leaves Hasina to Dhaka and Delhi, signals confidence in BNP
The details of a US state department briefing from Thursday throws up a few points regarding Sheikh Hasina, Awami League and relations with Bangladesh that are noteworthy.
The news itself hit news outlets in Dhaka late on Friday evening featuring a senior state department official expressing ‘hope’ that Bangladesh and India would work out their issues surrounding the ousted prime minister currently living in Delhi under Indian protection.
The briefing in New York, titled “US Policy in Support of a Stable, Prosperous, and Sovereign South Asia” began with opening remarks followed by the questions from journalists, which is when the issue of Hasina and Awami League came up.
The ousted Bangladeshi premier, who is also the head of Awami League, which has seen its activities suspended, has been tried in absentia for crimes against humanity, found guilty and sentenced to death.
Hasina has been living in Delhi since August 5, 2024 when she fled Bangladesh faced with a people’s uprising.
It was in this context, that the State Department official was asked about the US position regarding Hasina to which she said that the US had not taken any formal position on the matter.
“We understand that this issue has become a major source of friction between India and Bangladesh. Therefore, we hope they will discuss it among themselves and reach a solution. And as for what should happen to Hasina, we have not yet specified that.”
While the state department official’s remarks did not indicate any attempt of typical US overreach and left bilateral issues to the two countries concerned, they also acknowledge Hasina’s refuge in Delhi as a potential thorn in Bangladesh-India relations.
It is perhaps significant that the US official did not indicate a preference one way or the other.
But when asked about Awami League’s activities being suspended, the same official said it was Bangladesh’s internal matter and went on to say that the US had great relations with the current government.
The official mentioned relations with the ruling BNP were on a high. Noting the recent Boeing deal and the civil nuclear agreement, the official said that the US was keen to continue working with the elected government in office in Bangladesh.
The official said, "I do not wish to comment on Bangladesh's domestic politics. However, I want to say that our relationship with Bangladesh, and with the BNP, is in excellent shape. We want to continue working with the elected government.”
The official stressed that the US stood behind the ongoing efforts to make Bangladesh stronger and safer and that the US would spare no effort to make Bangladesh more prosperous.
The official then said, “Therefore, I do not think it is appropriate to comment on Bangladesh's internal politics."
There was no mention of allegedly thwarting political liberties or even an entreaty for the BNP government to show any flexibility. This will clearly embolden the BNP and further frustrate Awami League loyalists who were looking forward to a restoration of its activities.
Together, so far as Bangladesh’s policies are concerned, it appears that the United States is quite content -- at least for the time being.
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