International

US Hopes Bangladesh and India Will Reach Understanding on Sheikh Hasina

26 September 2026 18:09 PM

NEWS DESK

The United States hopes Bangladesh and India will work together to reach a resolution regarding ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, a US State Department official said.

The United States does not have a specific position on what should happen to Hasina, the official said during an on-background briefing in New York on Wednesday. The briefing was held at the New York Foreign Press Center under the title, “US Policy in Support of a Stable, Prosperous and Sovereign South Asia.”

Journalists from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the briefing.

Hasina has been living in India since she was ousted following mass protests in Bangladesh in 2024. In November last year, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death.

Asked about Washington’s position on Hasina, the State Department official said the United States had not yet taken a formal position on the matter.

“We understand that this has become a major source of tension between India and Bangladesh,” the official said.

“We therefore hope that they will discuss the issue among themselves and reach a solution,” the official added. “As for what should happen to Hasina, we have not specified that either.”

The official was also asked about restrictions on the political activities of the Awami League.

“I don’t want to comment on Bangladesh’s domestic politics,” the official said, while emphasizing that Washington’s relations with Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are strong.

“We want to continue working with the elected government,” the official said. “We support the work underway to make Bangladesh stronger and safer. The United States is fully committed to helping Bangladesh become more prosperous. Therefore, I do not think it is appropriate for us to comment on Bangladesh’s internal politics.”

Before the briefing, Bethany Morrison, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, spoke at the Foreign Press Center about the situation in South Asia and the Trump administration’s regional policy.

Morrison later joined journalists for a photo session.

Bangladesh India Sheikh Hasina