India denies any official connection to Hasina’s August 5 online event

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The Indian government has said it has no involvement in the planned virtual appearance of Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at a media event scheduled for August 5.

Responding to questions on the issue, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the programme is being organised by a private media entity and that the Indian government has no role in arranging or endorsing it.

His remarks came a day after Bangladesh requested India's cooperation to ensure that Sheikh Hasina, or individuals associated with banned organisations, are not allowed to use Indian territory to deliver political speeches or engage in activities that could create instability in Bangladesh.

The request was made by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir during a courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday.

Responding to another question regarding Bangladesh’s invitation to the BRICS Summit, Jaiswal said India had formally invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to pay a bilateral visit to India after assuming office in February 2026.

He also said Bangladesh has been invited to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in the prime minister’s capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC.

According to Jaiswal, the invitation was extended in line with the standard practice followed for BRICS outreach sessions, where leaders of regional organisations are also invited to participate.