- Hasina broke down several times during her address, recalling that she has seen her "beloved Bangladesh suffer" and alleging that organised groups exploited the July-August 2024 student protests to serve a political agenda.
- Hasina claimed that "even after a rigged election brought the BNP to power, the situation did not change" and that Bangladesh remains in the grip of fear, terror, depression, economic hardship, and deep insecurity.
- Hasina said she wanted to return to Bangladesh to revive its path of progress, announcing that her return date would be announced later, and called for the ban on her party, the Bangladesh Awami League, to be lifted.
- Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was "outraged" that the "absconding convicted" Hasina was allowed to engage in live interaction with the media in Delhi, and that it had conveyed concerns to the Indian government in advance about the "likely ramifications" of the event for bilateral relations.
- India responded that the event was private and should not be endorsed, while Jaiswal said India constantly watches regional activities.
- Bangladesh's statement expressed a desire to maintain a "constructive, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking relationship with India" based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference, and national dignity.
India's Ministry of External Affairs clarified that it did not endorse Sheikh Hasina's press conference in Delhi, which addressed the political unrest in Bangladesh.
Hasina expressed her distress over her country's situation, stating, "For the last two years, I watched my beloved Bangladesh suffer..." and accused organized groups of exploiting protests for political gain.
She announced her intention to return to Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for political reforms and the restoration of freedom of speech.
In response, Bangladesh's foreign ministry expressed outrage, labeling Hasina as an "absconding convicted" individual and highlighting concerns over the event's impact on bilateral relations.4
Jaiswal reiterated India's stance, stating, "The government does not support whatever words were spoken from that forum..." and emphasized India's vigilance regarding regional security.
Hasina's emotional address included claims of fear and economic hardship in Bangladesh, asserting, "Even after a rigged election brought the BNP to power, the situation did not change." She called for the lifting of the ban on her party and the dropping of false cases against her and her leaders.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry underscored its desire for a constructive relationship with India, based on mutual respect and non-interference.
“Bangladesh's foreign ministry called Hasina an 'absconding convicted' and said it had warned India of 'likely ramifications' for bilateral relations. Hasina, who broke down during the address, alleged organized groups exploited the July-August 2024 student protests and claimed a rigged election brought BNP to power.”
