Bangladesh has cautioned India that allowing the fugitive former leader Sheikh Hasina to engage in political activities could damage the improving bilateral ties. Dhaka emphasized that it does not want the event to adversely impact relations between the neighboring nations.

In Assam, the death toll from recent floods has risen to 87, with officials reporting two more fatalities on Tuesday. Relief efforts are ongoing, and over 73,000 people are currently sheltered in relief camps across the affected districts.

Shama Obaed Islam, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that India needs to be clear about its stance on Hasina's upcoming speech. She stressed that Dhaka does not want the event to harm the improving ties, and noted that India had previously indicated it did not expect fugitives to engage in political activities from its territory.

Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since being ousted in 2024, is scheduled to deliver a live virtual speech on August 5 at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, titled "Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming." This will mark the second anniversary of the student-led uprising that toppled her government.

Meanwhile, Assam continues to battle the aftermath of floods, with 2,281 villages affected and over 16,700 houses partially or fully damaged. The national weather agency has predicted thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in neighboring states, which could impact some districts in Assam as well.

The Indian foreign ministry has not yet publicly responded to Bangladesh's comments. Hasina has recently told global media that she plans to return to Bangladesh by December 2026, despite facing legal cases and a death sentence.

Source: www.dw.com