India Acknowledges Hasina as Former Bangladesh PM

India recognizes Sheikh Hasina, Awami League president, as the former prime minister of Bangladesh, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed on Thursday.

Responding to a journalist's question during the ministry's weekly briefing, Jaiswal said, "We have consistently maintained that Sheikh Hasina is the former prime minister. That remains our position."

The journalist's question arose after the Awami League issued a statement in which Hasina congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election, referring to her as the "Prime Minister of Bangladesh." The journalist asked whether India regarded Hasina as a former PM or a "PM in exile."

Hasina has been residing in New Delhi since August 5 after fleeing Bangladesh amid a student-led mass uprising. Since then, India has made no official declaration regarding her status, particularly after her passport was revoked by the interim Bangladeshi government. The Awami League’s reference to Hasina as prime minister has sparked public confusion.