Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 6: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the matter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s prolonged stay in India, indicating that her decision to remain in the country is largely a personal choice shaped by the “circumstances” that led her here.

Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit to NDTV CEO and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal, Jaishankar said, “She came here in a certain circumstance and I think that circumstance clearly is a factor in what happens to her. But again, that is something in which she has to make up her mind.” Sheikh Hasina has been in India since August 5 last year following the conclusion of her 15-year rule, a period that witnessed political unrest in Bangladesh, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.

Turning to India-Bangladesh relations, Jaishankar underlined India’s support for a credible democratic process in Bangladesh. “What we heard was that people in Bangladesh, particularly those who are now in power, had an issue with how the elections were conducted earlier. Now, if the issue was the election, the first order of business would be to do a fair election,” he noted.

Highlighting India’s commitment to democracy, the EAM expressed hope for strengthening bilateral ties. “As far as we are concerned, we wish Bangladesh well. Any democratic country values the will of the people being reflected through a fair and transparent process. I am confident that the outcome of a democratic process will bring a balanced and mature perspective to the relationship and hopefully improve things,” Jaishankar added.

The External Affairs Minister’s remarks come amid continuing interest in Sheikh Hasina’s status in India and the broader trajectory of Indo-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.