The United States and India are reportedly working on a diplomatic framework to facilitate the return of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with discussions focusing on ensuring her security and temporarily suspending legal sentences against her, according to diplomatic sources in the neighbouring country.
The reported understanding includes provisions for guaranteeing Hasina’s safety and securing a suspension of her death sentence and other penalties for at least one year. Over the past two weeks, US and Indian officials have communicated these proposals to senior members of the Bangladeshi government, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, seeking Dhaka’s cooperation.
According to the diplomatic sources, a possible roadmap was discussed during meetings between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on August 10 and 11, along with other ongoing diplomatic engagements. The aim has been to establish conditions under which Hasina’s “dignity” and “security” can be maintained while enabling her return.
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However, the issue of lifting restrictions on the Awami League, which has been banned from political activity, remains unresolved.
Sources further claims that Washington has increasingly begun assessing regional security dynamics in coordination with India. It suggests that diplomatic mediation by both countries may have initiated a process of reconciliation between the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League.
Sources cited in the report indicate that India and the United States view the presence of “undemocratic” elements in Bangladesh as a potential threat to broader regional stability, prompting intensified diplomatic engagement involving Washington, New Delhi, and Dhaka.
The developments are also being linked to what the report describes as a recent military arrangement among Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, referred to as the “Mecca Agreement.” The agreement, allegedly modelled on NATO’s collective defence principle, is said to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Amid these developments, Parag Jain, head of India’s external intelligence agency, reportedly visited Bangladesh on August 9–10 at the invitation of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), accompanied by senior officials. During the visit, Indian representatives held meetings with Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Defence Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam, while separate interactions were also held with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Jain’s visit has drawn attention due to reports that he had travelled to China prior to arriving in Dhaka, adding to speculation about broader geopolitical coordination surrounding Hasina’s future.
An Indian diplomatic source cited in the report claimed that China has expressed support for India’s initiative regarding Hasina’s return and security, though the extent of such backing remains unclear and unconfirmed publicly.
The report also highlights growing international scrutiny over legal proceedings against Hasina. Her trial and sentencing have drawn criticism in several quarters, with the issue gaining further attention after a press conference in New Delhi on August 5, where she reiterated her intention to return to Bangladesh by December.
Despite the reported high-level contacts and ongoing diplomatic activity, there has been no official confirmation from the governments of the United States, India, or Bangladesh regarding any agreement to suspend Hasina’s sentence or facilitate her return.
Analysts suggest that the situation involves multiple complex factors, including legal considerations, political reconciliation, and regional security dynamics. For India, the matter carries both strategic and political implications, while for the United States, it is increasingly being viewed through the lens of regional stability and coordination with New Delhi.
For Bangladesh, any potential arrangement would raise significant questions about the judicial process, domestic political balance, and the government’s commitment to enforcing court decisions.
By Pranab Mondal
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