> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsanek.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh by December despite risks - URL: https://newsanek.com/sheikh-hasina-return-bangladesh-foreign-backing/ - Published: 2026-11-05T17:18:39.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-05T17:50:18.000Z - Description: Hasina told AP she does not need foreign backing for her return. She says her plan remains unchanged, even though she faces a death sentence in Bangladesh and India has not handed her over. - Author: Kumar Ujjwal - Tags: World, UPSC Today, GS Paper 2, Explainer, #sub-international, #national-desk Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina says she does not need the support of any foreign country to go home. She made the remarks on Thursday in an email interview with the news agency AP. Hindustan Times published her comments. Hasina lives in exile in India. She says her plan to return by December has not changed, even with the risk of arrest or death. ### Key points - Hasina says she does not need foreign backing to return to Bangladesh. - She plans to return by December, despite the risk of arrest or death. - A Bangladeshi tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia in November 2025. - She denies wrongdoing and rejects the verdict against her. ## What did Hasina say about foreign support? She was asked whether countries like the United States and India would pressure Bangladesh to ensure her safe return. She said she was not seeking foreign protection. She said Bangladesh values friendship with all nations. But she said she does not need a foreign power's blessing to go back to her own country. Hindustan Times reported that her return is not about regaining power. She says it is about standing with the people of Bangladesh. ## So why is her return considered so risky? Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024. A student-led uprising had forced her out of power, and she has lived in India since then. In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia. Key dates in Hasina's exile and planned return 1. **July-August 2024**Crackdown on student-led protests, the basis of the alleged crimes 2. **August 2024**Hasina fled Bangladesh after a student-led uprising forced her out of power 3. **November 2025**International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia 4. **September**In an interview, she said she would announce the date, time and entry point later 5. **December**Her planned return to Bangladesh, which she says has not changed Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report The alleged crimes relate to a crackdown on student-led protests in July and August 2024. The United Nations says nearly 1,400 people were killed in the violence. The Week reported that nearly 600 criminal cases have been filed against Hasina and other senior Awami League leaders. Hasina has denied wrongdoing. She has rejected the verdict and questioned the legitimacy of the trial. ## What happens next, and what is still unclear? Hasina has said she will announce the date, time and point of entry later. Hindustan Times reported this from a September interview. The Week reported that in July she said she would surrender before the courts. Bangladesh has repeatedly asked for her extradition. India has not handed her over. So why does this matter for readers in India? India has given her shelter since 2024, and Dhaka wants her back. Explainer ### What happened before - Hasina fled Dhaka in August 2024 after a student-led uprising forced her out of power. She has lived in India since then. - In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over the crackdown on protests. - Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition, but India has not handed her over. ### Why it matters It matters to readers in India because a former Bangladeshi leader is living in India, and Dhaka wants her back. ### What to watch next - Hasina says she will return by December and will announce the date, time and point of entry later. Exam Corner **UPSC GS Paper 2** · IR: India and Bangladesh ties ### What's the news Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said she does not need foreign backing to return home by December. She made the remarks in an interview with AP on Thursday. ### Background - Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after a student-led uprising forced her out of power, and has lived in India since then. - Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia in November 2025 over the crackdown on protests. - Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition, but India has not handed her over. ### Facts for Prelims - Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia in November 2025. - The United Nations says nearly 1,400 people were killed during the violence in July and August 2024. - Hasina fled Dhaka in August 2024 and has been living in India since then. ### Content for Mains 1. **Significance:** Shows how political crises in a neighbour can affect ties between India and Bangladesh. 2. **Main issue:** Extradition requests for former leaders, and whether a host country must hand them over. 3. **Challenges:** Balancing shelter for political exiles with diplomatic commitments and public trust. 4. **Way forward:** Clear legal channels, fair trials and dialogue between governments could ease tensions. **Practice question:** Discuss the challenges in extraditing political exiles between neighbouring countries, with reference to the case of Sheikh Hasina. ### Prelims practice questions **Q1.** Which body sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia in November 2025? 1. The Supreme Court of India 2. The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh 3. The United Nations Human Rights Council 4. The Awami League party Show answer **Answer: B.** The article states that Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal gave the death sentence. **Q2.** Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024 and has lived in which country since then? 1. Pakistan 2. Nepal 3. India 4. Myanmar Show answer **Answer: C.** The article says she has lived in India since fleeing Dhaka in August 2024. ### Key terms - **Extradition**: The formal handing over of a person accused or convicted of a crime by one country to another. - **Crimes against humanity**: Serious offences such as murder or persecution committed against civilians on a large scale. - **In absentia**: A trial or sentence given when the accused is not present in court. More stories for exam preparation: [UPSC Today](https://newsanek.com/upsc-today/) These points come from this news report. Check them with standard sources such as NCERT books and PIB before your exam. --- ### Sources - [Hindustan Times: ‘Don’t need blessings of foreign powers': Hasina on if she wants US, India to pressure Bangladesh for her safe return](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dont-need-blessings-of-foreign-powers-hasina-on-if-she-wants-us-india-to-pressure-bangladesh-for-her-safe-return-101793869882814.html?ref=newsanek.com) - [The Week: Sheikh Hasina says she doesn't need blessing of a foreign power to return to Bangladesh](https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2026/11/05/sheikh-hasina-bangladesh-return.html?ref=newsanek.com)