Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim government chief, revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismissed his plea to stop Sheikh Hasina from making political statements from India. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Yunus expressed frustration, noting that Hasina’s statements anger Bangladeshis, fueling tensions. He recounted Modi’s response that social media cannot be controlled, calling it inadequate for the explosive situation. Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 after her government’s collapse amid protests, faces charges from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for ordering a deadly crackdown. Yunus vowed to pursue her extradition through legal channels, including Interpol.

The strained India-Bangladesh relations have worsened since Yunus took office, with India criticizing Bangladesh for failing to protect religious minorities. Yunus dismissed these claims as exaggerated, blaming fake news in Indian media for stoking anger. As extradition efforts intensify, diplomatic ties face further challenges, with no response from India yet.