Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said she plans to return to Bangladesh by December, insisting that her decision is driven by a desire to stand with the country's people rather than reclaim political power.
In her first telephonic interview with Indian media, speaking to Hindustan Times from an undisclosed location, Hasina also questioned Dhaka's decision to link her extradition with a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi.
“I am going back to my own country, I don’t understand why he (Tarique Rahman) is objecting to that. They are talking about the extradition treaty, I want to go back on my own to my country. I will go back. Can I stay abroad my whole life? I have to return to my country, to my own people,” she told Hindustan Times.
‘My return is not about power’
Hasina said she intends to announce the exact date, time and entry point for her return later. She said Bangladesh's political crisis should not continue indefinitely and argued that the country had moved backwards on development, jobs and economic growth.
She cited figures for Bangladesh's economy during her time in office, saying GDP growth had fallen to 2.22 per cent from 6.80 per cent and claiming that more than two crore people had become newly unemployed.
Hasina also alleged that hundreds of cases had been filed against her and described the legal action as political retaliation. Referring to the threats she has faced over the years, including the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally, she said, “I am not worried about my own future. My return is not about power. It is about standing beside the people.”
Awami League ban and political future
The former prime minister defended the Awami League and questioned the decision to prohibit the party from political activity. She said the party had a long history dating back to 1947 and argued that its future should ultimately be decided by voters.
She also said she remained in contact with Awami League leaders and workers, while decisions on who would return to Bangladesh would depend on consultations and security conditions.
On her relationship with the Dhaka government, Hasina said her return was her own decision and denied having any political understanding with the current administration.
Concerns over China, defence purchases
Hasina also criticised Bangladesh's reported plan to acquire Chinese J-10CE fighter jets under a $2.3-billion deal, pointing to shortages of electricity, gas and fertilisers and rising prices.
She said Bangladesh had previously expanded power generation to almost 29,000 MW and questioned the spending on fighter aircraft amid current economic difficulties.
On the Teesta River project, she said her government had discussed cooperation with India but declined to comment on the current administration's approach.
Warning over extremism
Hasina further backed her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy's warning about Bangladesh becoming “another Pakistan”. She said the phrase referred to the rise of extremism, communal politics, militant networks and weakened institutions rather than ordinary citizens.
“What Joy said was not emotional rhetoric. It was a serious warning based on Bangladesh’s current security reality,” she said.
Asked about her life in India, Hasina said she remained grateful for the treatment she had received but continued to follow developments in Bangladesh closely.
“What I miss most is the people of Bangladesh — their faces, language, simple trust and the soil of rural Bengal,” she said.