Bangladesh's exiled leader Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India, wants to return home—even if it means being killed!

Why didn't Hasina choose China back then?

Reuters report dated August 6 (local time).

The ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, said on Wednesday she plans to return to her homeland from exile in India by December.

"I know they might imprison me, or kill me, or anything could happen—but I must go back," Hasina said in a speech. "Fear cannot dictate my responsibility to the people."

In 2024, after student-led protests forced her resignation, Hasina fled to India.

In 2025, a Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death on charges of crimes against humanity for ordering crackdowns during the uprising.

The United Nations reported that nearly 1,400 people were killed during the suppression operations; Hasina denies any misconduct.

Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition, but India has so far refused to hand her over.

She chose December because it is Bangladesh’s “Victory Month,” commemorating the 1971 independence war victory.

In response, the current Bangladeshi government publicly stated, “We welcome her return to face trial”—adding that she would be arrested immediately upon setting foot on national soil.

At the same time, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry expressed dissatisfaction with India, protesting Hasina’s public political activities conducted within Indian territory, fearing damage to bilateral relations between the two countries.

India said it is willing to offer asylum to Hasina, but has publicly distanced itself from her political speeches—neither organizing nor endorsing her political statements.

A faction of Hasina’s supporters hopes her return will revive her party.

Hasina is generally pro-China and pragmatic in her approach, but follows a typical South Asian great power balancing diplomacy—not blindly aligning entirely with China, while maintaining strategic maneuvering with India and Western powers.

In July 2024, she made her last visit to China as prime minister, upgrading Sino-Bangladeshi relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signing 21 cooperation documents—marking the peak of bilateral ties.

So why didn’t Hasina choose China for refuge at that time?

Hasina chose India due to their special relationship.

In 1975, during a coup in Bangladesh, nearly her entire family was massacred. She spent six years in exile in India—where India sheltered her and helped her rebuild political strength to eventually return to Bangladesh’s political scene.

There were also practical realities at the time: India was the first country physically accessible during her escape.

The situation collapsed suddenly in August 2024—domestic protests spiraled out of control, and the military defected. Hasina fled urgently by military helicopter directly toward India. As the nearest major country bordering Dhaka, India offered the shortest route for immediate safe landing.

Traveling to China would require crossing oceans and long-distance flights—during chaotic conditions, flight routes, exit permits, and air safety were extremely difficult to guarantee.

India had also clearly indicated its willingness to receive Hasina at the time.

And perhaps most importantly: China has consistently maintained a diplomatic stance of not accepting foreign sitting or fallen political figures seeking refuge.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872815581166592/

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