Why Sheikh Hasina Chose To Come India After Fleeing Bangladesh?

News Delhi, India: Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure came to an abrupt end on Monday, August 5, as she fled the country amidst intense protests and unrest, in wake of military coup which resulted as an aftermath of violent protests killing over 300 people.  

Sheikh Hasina is taking shelter in India as she arrived at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad. The Indian Air Force monitored the aircraft's movement from its entry into Indian airspace until it landed at the airbase, where it was parked near the C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft hangars.

Military Declares Interim Government

In a televised address, Army Chief General Waker-Us-Zaman announced that Sheikh Hasina, 76, had left Bangladesh and that an interim government would be established.

Earlier media reports suggested that Hasina, accompanied by her sister, had initially left Dhaka via a military helicopter, with speculation that she headed to Agartala, the capital of Tripura, India.

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Why did Sheikh Hasina decided to come India after military coup?

1. India has been a crucial supporter of Sheikh Hasina, fostering a strong relationship between the two countries. Bangladesh shares borders with several Indian northeastern states, many of which have faced militant challenges.
2. During her tenure, Hasina reportedly cracked down on anti-India militant groups in Bangladesh, earning goodwill from New Delhi, the BBC reported. She also granted India transit rights, facilitating the movement of goods from the Indian mainland to its northeastern states.
3. Since her first election in 1996, Sheikh Hasina has maintained close ties with India, consistently defending Dhaka’s strong relationship with Delhi.
4. During a visit to India in 2022, she highlighted India's support during Bangladesh's 1971 independence war, which left a lasting impact on Bangladeshis.
5. However, her close ties with India and the latter's support for her have been criticized by opposition parties and activists, who argue that India should support the people of Bangladesh, not just a particular political party.
6. Over the past decade, strategic ties between India and Bangladesh have grown significantly. Bangladesh has been a key beneficiary of India's “Neighbourhood First” policy, receiving grants and lines of credit to boost energy, financial, and physical connectivity.
7. Key achievements in connectivity include the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni River in Tripura and the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link.
8. Bangladesh is India's largest development partner, with nearly one-fourth of New Delhi's credit commitments directed toward the country. It is also India's biggest trade partner in South Asia, and India is the second largest trade partner of Bangladesh in Asia.
9. India is Bangladesh's largest export destination in Asia, with exports worth $2 billion during the 2022-23 period.
10. As Bangladesh navigates this critical transition, the world watches closely to see what lies ahead for the country and its leadership.