India Rejects Allegations As Dhaka Summons Indian Envoy to Raise Hadi Shooting, Concerns Over Hasina

New Delhi: India "categorically" rejected allegations from Dhaka on Sunday (December 14) after its high commissioner was summoned to protest former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's "incendiary" activities and demand cooperation in the attempted assassination case of Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

The summoning, which took place on Sunday, saw Bangladesh's interim government convey its "serious concern" over what it termed "incendiary statements" by Hasina, alleging she is inciting "terrorist activities" from Indian soil to thwart the upcoming elections.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded hours later, stating it "categorically rejects the assertions" made in the Bangladeshi press note.

Dhaka reiterated its call for the "expeditious extradition" of Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face sentences reportedly handed down by judicial authorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh specifically raised concerns regarding the "recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi". The foreign ministry sought India's cooperation to prevent suspects involved in the attack from escaping into Indian territory and requested that if they manage to cross the border, India should ensure their "immediate apprehension and extradition".

Hadi, an independent candidate for the upcoming general polls, was shot by gunmen in Dhaka on Friday. He was the spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha, a right-wing cultural group that had been at the forefront of a campaign to disband the Awami League, the former ruling party, which has been banned from conducting any political activity.

Bangladeshi security agencies have identified two of the assailants, who are on the run. Bangladeshi border police have stepped up operations to stop the suspects from fleeing across the border into India. Meanwhile, there is a major security clampdown, even as protests have broken out over the shooting. Hadi is stated to be in a deep coma.

During the meeting in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi foreign office alleged that fugitive Awami League members in India were "planning, organising and helping to carry out terrorist activities inside Bangladesh". Dhaka explicitly called upon the Indian government to "expeditiously act to end the criminal actions by these fascist terrorists".

The Bangladeshi statement emphasised that "as a neighbour, India is expected to stand with the people of Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes".

According to the Bangladeshi press release, the Indian high commissioner stated during the meeting that India "looked forward to peaceful elections in Bangladesh and expressed his country's readiness to extend all cooperation in this regard".

Hours later, India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement rejecting Bangladesh's allegations. "India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025," the release stated.

New Delhi emphasised its consistent position favouring "free, fair, inclusive and credible elections" in Bangladesh, while asserting that "India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh".

India's statement placed responsibility squarely on Bangladesh's interim government, stating that New Delhi expects Dhaka "will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections".

While friction between Dhaka and Delhi has been constant since the fall of the Hasina government, the death sentences given to Hasina and Kamal by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal have added another layer of complexity to the relationship.

After Bangladesh had reiterated its demand for their extradition, India had said that it was examining the request in November.

Earlier this month, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar had previously indicated that Hasina's continued stay in India was a matter of her own decision. Hasina had arrived in Delhi on August 5 last year on a Bangladeshi military plane, fleeing as crowds took over the streets of Dhaka and rushed to the official residence.

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