Political Turmoil in Dhaka: Hasina’s Verdict and Bangladesh NSA’s Surprise India Visit — What’s Behind It?

New Delhi: The situation in the country has worsened again after the death sentence for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. There are demonstrations on the streets, Hasina's house was attacked, and the atmosphere is becoming like last year's turmoil. Amidst this unrest, Bangladesh's National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman suddenly reached Delhi a day before.

Why Did Rahman Land in India Ahead of Schedule?

Rahman came to Delhi on Tuesday evening, while his India tour was to begin on Wednesday. He was welcomed at the airport by an official of India's National Security Council Secretariat. The reason for his sudden arrival has not been given officially, but at a time when there is an uproar in Bangladesh over the verdict against Hasina, his early arrival is starting a new discussion.

What Sparked the Unrest in Bangladesh?

On November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina and sentenced her to death on charges of violent repression during the 2024 student movement. Hasina has been living in India since last year's coup. After the decision, two types of reactions were seen in Dhaka—

• Supporters called it an act of political revenge
• Opponents called it a victory for the law

Many international human rights organizations have also raised questions about the impartiality of the tribunal. According to sources, India has considered this decision “illegal.”

Is This Visit Connected to the Hasina Verdict?

Rahman's official schedule is to attend the NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, which is attended by India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh. This meeting will be held in Delhi on 19–20 November, and issues related to security and cooperation will be discussed.

But the delicate situation in Dhaka and Rehman's arrival a day earlier after the verdict on Hasina also indicate that there may be a possibility of talks between the two countries on this issue. However, no official statement has been given on this.

What Will the Bangladesh NSA Do in New Delhi?

Rehman will attend a dinner program with NSAs of member countries on Wednesday. He is scheduled to meet India's NSA Ajit Doval on Thursday. There is a possibility that along with security issues, the current situation in Bangladesh will also be discussed in the meeting.

At present it is not clear whether his visit is completely as per the schedule or whether the changing situation in Bangladesh has added a political aspect to it.