India on Wednesday dismissed allegations from Bangladesh’s interim government that anti-Bangladesh activities were being orchestrated from India by individuals linked to the Awami League, calling the claims unfounded.
Responding to media queries on the interim government’s press statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was “not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law.” He added that the Government of India does not permit political operations targeting other countries to be conducted from Indian territory, terming Dhaka’s assertion “misplaced.”
The Awami League is the party of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India in exile after being forced out by student-led protests last year.
Reiterating its consistent position, India said it expects Bangladesh to hold free, fair, and inclusive elections at the earliest to reflect the will of its people.
Bilateral ties have faced strain since Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka in August last year amid widespread anti-government demonstrations. Relations deteriorated further under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, which has struggled to curb attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus. Concerns in New Delhi also grew amid increased engagement between Bangladeshi and Pakistani military officials, including visits by Pakistan’s ISI Director General of Analysis Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar and other officers to Bangladesh following a Bangladeshi military delegation’s meetings with Pakistan’s three service chiefs.