Sheikh Hasina marks exile year amid polls.
Ms. Hasina, once the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, now finds herself entangled in a web of serious allegations. She faces multiple charges, including corruption, human rights abuses, and even accusations of war crimes committed during her tenure. These charges have not only tarnished her legacy but also created significant legal and political obstacles to her return. With mounting pressure from international human rights organizations and domestic opposition, her presence in Dhaka remains increasingly uncertain. As Bangladesh moves towards its 2026 elections, Hasina’s political future hangs in the balance.
Her departure, once whispered about in political circles, is now an undeniable chapter in South Asia’s evolving geopolitical narrative.
Despite her exile, Hasina has not cut ties with her political roots. Sources close to her say she continues to maintain regular contact with senior Awami League leaders both in Bangladesh and in exile. From virtual meetings to encrypted communication channels, she has been reportedly guiding the party’s long-term strategy. Even so, the frequency and tone of her interactions have been deliberately low-profile, a decision believed to be shaped not just by her legal troubles back home, but also by quiet but firm nudges from her Indian hosts.
India, which offered her refuge under circumstances that remain unclear to the public, has kept a tight lid on any overt political activity by the former Prime Minister. That became especially evident on July 23 this year, when a scheduled press conference at Delhi’s Press Club by five senior Awami League ministers was abruptly called off. According to sources familiar with the situation, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) intervened discreetly to stop the event from proceeding.
The cancellation of the press conference sent ripples through the Awami League diaspora. It was expected to be a rare moment of visibility for the exiled leadership and potentially a signal to party cadres in Bangladesh that Hasina remained politically active and engaged. Instead, the silence that followed only deepened the uncertainty around her future role—if any—in the nation’s politics.
Complicating matters further are the legal cases that now surround Hasina. She faces a growing list of serious allegations—ranging from corruption and abuse of power to human rights violations and even war crimes. Some of these cases, while politically charged, have been pushed forward with unusual speed in the post-Hasina interim government era. The new regime in Dhaka, while not openly hostile to India, has refrained from pressing New Delhi to extradite her. Nevertheless, the political climate at home makes it almost impossible for her to consider a return anytime soon.
Public opinion in Bangladesh remains divided. For some, especially those in rural areas who benefitted from her economic initiatives, Hasina still represents stability and development. But for others—particularly the younger generation and urban intellectuals—her long rule came to symbolize authoritarianism, a shrinking civic space, and eroding institutions. Her exit from power was greeted by some with relief, and by others with suspicion.
Meanwhile, within the Awami League itself, questions are being raised. Without Hasina’s central command, internal divisions have started to surface. Senior leaders are jockeying for position, trying to maintain loyalty to Hasina while also preparing for a post-Hasina era. There are whispers of factional splits and behind-the-scenes negotiations with rival political entities. As Bangladesh looks ahead to general elections in 2026, the ruling party’s future without its long-time matriarch remains a subject of intense debate.
India’s role in all this is, unsurprisingly, nuanced. While Hasina was a reliable partner to New Delhi during her years in power, India’s current stance appears more pragmatic than personal. The MEA has neither confirmed nor denied her presence on Indian soil, and there’s been no indication that the Indian government is keen on playing an active part in shaping Bangladesh’s internal politics going forward. With its own elections and regional priorities, India appears content to offer safe haven while avoiding entanglement.
Diplomatic analysts believe New Delhi’s cautious approach stems from a desire to maintain a working relationship with Bangladesh’s interim administration, which has taken steps to distance itself from Hasina-era policies but has not antagonized India overtly. At the same time, India remains wary of instability on its eastern border, particularly if pro-China or radical elements attempt to fill any leadership vacuum.
Whether Sheikh Hasina will play any role—symbolic or otherwise—remains an open question. For now, she remains in exile, watching from the shadows, still a figure of significance, but one whose influence is slowly fading under the weight of time, distance, and allegations.
Whether she makes a dramatic return, fades quietly into retirement, or finds herself embroiled in international legal proceedings, the coming year will be decisive—not just for her legacy, but for the future of Bangladesh.