India was aware of anti-Hasina wave but could not interfere: Jaishankar

India was aware of the rising wave of anti-Hasina sentiment prior to the student protests that eventually led to Hasina fleeing Bangladesh to India, says India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Speaking during a meeting with the Consultative Committee on External Affairs on Saturday (March 22), Jaishankar shared that while India was aware of the brewing discontent, it did not possess the influence necessary to intervene directly. He explained to the Members of Parliament that India could merely offer suggestions to Hasina but lacked the leverage to take action beyond that, The Hindu reported.
The meeting focused on India’s regional foreign policy, with particular attention to developments in neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Although Bangladesh’s interim government has initiated dialogue with New Delhi, diplomatic ties have faced strain following India's decision to offer asylum to Sheikh Hasina. In an effort to manage bilateral relations, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka in December 2024. However, the Ministry of External Affairs has not confirmed whether a formal meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will take place during the upcoming BIMSTEC summit scheduled for April 2–4 in Bangkok.
Chief Adviser Yunus has hosted several international dignitaries in recent weeks and is expected to visit China next. During the visit, Dhaka and Beijing are anticipated to sign several agreements, including those aimed at enhancing air connectivity between Chittagong, Dhaka, and various Chinese cities. Jaishankar also pointed to the increasing role of foreign powers in Bangladesh’s affairs, noting that while China may not be an adversary, it remains a key competitor in the region.
The discussion also touched on the future of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has remained inactive since its last summit in 2014. The 19th summit, initially set to be hosted by Pakistan in 2016, was postponed after India withdrew following the terrorist attack on its Uri military base. Since then, India has shifted focus toward BIMSTEC as an alternative platform for regional cooperation.
Nonetheless, Jaishankar hinted that SAARC could still see a revival, describing the initiative as "paused" rather than concluded.
Parliamentarians also raised concerns about China’s expanding presence in South Asia, particularly in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. They sought clarity on India’s strategic roadmap for the coming decade to counterbalance Beijing’s growing influence in the region.