The Liberation War Affairs Minister has said that a prisoner exchange agreement involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not feasible since she is not in detention in India. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists at an event on Wednesday (November 11).
Context of the 'Sheikh's daughter does not flee' remark
The minister noted that Sheikh Hasina had repeatedly and proudly stated during her political career that "Sheikh's daughter does not flee." However, on August 5, 2024, amid a nationwide mass uprising, she resigned from power and fled to India. The minister said the contradiction between this statement and reality is now clear to the public.Minister's comments on prisoner exchange
Responding to a journalist's question, the Liberation War Affairs Minister said, "Since Hasina is not detained in India, a prisoner exchange agreement is not possible." He added that the Bangladesh government is continuing its efforts to bring her back through legal processes. He also remarked that there is no scope for India to consider her a prisoner.Political background
Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, Sheikh Hasina has been residing in New Delhi, India, according to multiple sources. The interim government of Bangladesh has stated on several occasions that it has taken diplomatic initiatives to bring her back for trial. However, the Indian government has yet to make any official statement on the matter.Analysts suggest that there is no formal prisoner exchange treaty between the two countries, and Hasina is believed to have been given political asylum. Therefore, the legal and diplomatic path to repatriating her at this moment appears complex, they observe.