Bangladesh, India will reach understanding on Sheikh Hasina, hopes US

The United States hopes that Bangladesh and India will reach a resolution through discussions over ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, while Washington says it has not yet taken a specific position on this issue.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bethany Morrison outlined the Trump administration’s position during a briefing at the Foreign Press Center in New York on Wednesday.

The briefing, titled “US Policy in Support of a Stable, Prosperous and Sovereign South Asia,” was attended by journalists from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Asked about Washington’s position on Sheikh Hasina, the US official said the United States had not yet adopted any formal position on the matter. According to Morrison, the issue has become a major source of tension between India and Bangladesh. She said Washington therefore hoped the two countries would discuss the matter and reach a resolution.

She also said the United States had not specified what should be done with Sheikh Hasina.

Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since she was removed from power following the 2024 uprising. Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced her to death in absentia over allegations that she ordered a deadly crackdown on the movement.

Hasina has said she intends to return to Bangladesh and surrender to the court by December. She has also sought assurances regarding her security and an opportunity to challenge the proceedings conducted in her absence.

Journalists at the briefing also asked about Washington’s position on lifting the ban on the activities of the Awami League.

In response, the US official said Washington did not wish to comment on Bangladesh’s domestic politics. She said the United States would continue working with Bangladesh’s elected government and would support efforts to make the country stronger, safer and more prosperous.

Asked who would decide whether the restrictions on the Awami League should be lifted, she said clearly, “That decision has to be made by the Bangladesh government.”

The briefing also touched on Bangladesh’s relations with the United States, India and China.

Asked how Bangladesh could maintain relations with all three major powers without having to choose one over the others, Morrison said Bangladesh is located in a geographically complex region.

She said the United States did not want to pressure any country to choose between different partners. Rather, Washington wanted to position itself as an alternative partner for countries in the region.

She said the United States wanted to help strengthen Bangladesh’s sovereignty and support efforts to keep the country and its institutions secure.

According to Morrison, Washington’s position was not that Bangladesh had to choose one partner over another, but that the United States wanted to offer itself as an alternative.

Journalists also asked about a possible meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and US President Donald Trump.

Morrison said she could not comment on the president’s schedule. However, she said Trump had briefly met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during the week and that the two had an opportunity to have their photograph taken together.

Before the briefing, Morrison outlined the Trump administration’s policy toward South and Central Asia and discussed recent developments in the region at the Foreign Press Center.

She later joined journalists for a photo session.