NCP leader seeks clarity on army's India contacts over Hasina

A senior leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for institutional clarification over reported contacts between the Bangladesh and Indian militaries.

He made the call in a Facebook post on Friday, following a BBC Bangla report on India's proposed involvement of the Bangladesh Army in former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's return.

The report suggested that New Delhi wants the Bangladesh Army to play a direct role in bringing Hasina back to Bangladesh.

Alauddin Mohammad, the NCP's joint member secretary in charge of international affairs, also stressed that Bangladesh's political and judicial decisions must remain under the authority of its elected government and constitutional institutions.

"When reports involving the Bangladesh Army emerge, we believe the matter needs to be clarified through appropriate institutional processes," he wrote in Bengali.

"Military communication with another country's armed forces may take place, but there should be no ambiguity in the public mind about the purpose, nature and constitutional boundaries of such communication."

His remarks followed a BBC Bangla report suggesting that India wants the Bangladesh Army to take responsibility for bringing Hasina back from New Delhi and ensuring her security.

The report also discussed contacts between the two countries' military establishments and raised questions about New Delhi's approach to Bangladesh's military and civilian leadership.

Mohammad, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions solely from media reports.

"We do not want to accuse any party merely on the basis of media reports. However, such reports raise important concerns about Bangladesh's state structure, democratic process and sovereignty," he wrote.

He said diplomatic and military engagement between Bangladesh and India was legitimate, provided it did not interfere with Bangladesh's internal political and judicial affairs.

"Bangladesh and India may maintain diplomatic and military communication. They may also cooperate in their mutual interests. But at no stage of that relationship can there be room for interference in Bangladesh's internal political and judicial matters," he said.

The NCP leader said decisions on Hasina's trial, extradition and other legal proceedings must be made by Bangladesh's elected government and independent judiciary, in accordance with the constitution and the law.

"The legitimate centre of political authority in Bangladesh is the parliament and government elected by the people's votes," he wrote.

He added that accountability for mass killings and crimes against humanity committed against Bangladeshi citizens could not depend on the political considerations or diplomatic pressure of a foreign state.

Mohammad also referred to the Bangladesh Army's role during the 2024 mass uprising, saying the institution should remain committed to constitutional responsibilities and democratic governance.

"We expect the Bangladesh Army, as a professional, responsible and constitutionally compliant institution, to maintain full respect for the people's sentiments, the state's sovereignty and the country's democratic political process," he wrote.

The BBC Bangla report, citing Indian government and military sources, said New Delhi wanted Bangladesh's military to receive Hasina, potentially through a military aircraft or at a land border, and assume responsibility for her security.

India was also reportedly seeking assurances that Hasina would have an opportunity to challenge her death sentence and receive a fresh trial.

The proposed arrangements have not been publicly confirmed by either government.

Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following a student-led deadly uprising that ended her 15-year rule.

She was subsequently sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown on protesters. She has denied wrongdoing.

Bangladesh has formally sought her extradition, while India has yet to publicly commit to handing her over.