‘Your father came to India, why not you?’ Sheikh Hasina scolds Tariq Rehman at a distance from BRICS Summit

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has targeted Prime Minister Tariq Rahman regarding his visit to India. Questioning the absence of Bangladesh in the regional meetings held in India, he has termed Tariq Rahman’s decision as immature and against the national interests of the country. Hasina questioned that if her father and former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman could come to India, then why is Tariq Rahman avoiding coming to India?

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Sheikh Hasina said, “When I was here, your father came to India. Why is my presence in Delhi stopping Tariq Rehman from coming to India? What is the real reason behind this decision?”

Questions raised on India-Bangladesh relations

This comment of Sheikh Hasina has come at a time when there is tension in the relations between India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman did not participate in the BRICS summit held in India. Dhaka said that he was invited not as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, but as the Chairman of BIMSTEC.

Earlier, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed did not attend the first meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers held in New Delhi on October 13. After these two incidents, questions have started being raised on the strategy of Bangladesh government regarding relations with India.

Dhaka is demanding extradition of Sheikh Hasina

The BNP-led government of Bangladesh is demanding the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India. Hasina has been living in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024. Dhaka believes that Hasina’s presence in India is an obstacle to normalizing relations between the two countries. Hasina has promised to return to Bangladesh by December 2026, although she has also expressed the fear of arrest and jail.

Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death

Let us tell you that in November 2025 The International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh had sentenced Hasina to death in her absence. He was charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the violence that occurred during the July–August 2024 protests.

Tariq Rahman has visited Malaysia and China after becoming Prime Minister, but has not visited India. In such a situation, Hasina’s latest comment has again brought the ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries into discussion.

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