In First-Ever Live Interview with NDTV, Sheikh Hasina Says She Is “Determined to Return to Bangladesh”

 Special Correspondent

Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in self-imposed exile in India, has said that she will return to Bangladesh by December this year. She said this in a live audio interview with Indian media outlet NDTV. This was her first audio interview with NDTV, which was broadcast from New Delhi.

Strong stance on return to the country

In the interview, Sheikh Hasina said that despite her long exile, she is determined to return to the country. She stressed that as a citizen and a former head of state, she has the right to return to the country peacefully and legally. She clarified that she respects the sovereignty and rule of law of Bangladesh,

Return is inevitable—the main question is only about timing and methods that will protect national interests.

Preparation for death penalty and imprisonment

The former prime minister also spoke about the death sentence handed down to her by a Bangladeshi tribunal in November 2025 and the potential risk of arrest under the BNP-led Tarique Rahman government. She expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s judiciary and cited the long struggle to bring justice to the murders of her family members in 1975. She called the recent death sentence against her politically motivated and fake, citing the example of the long and legal process against the killers. Sheikh Hasina said:

I am ready to continue my political activities even if imprisoned if necessary, but the state must ensure full legal protection during the judicial process.

Awami League pledges to rebuild despite oppression

In the interview, Sheikh Hasina also spoke about the Awami League, which is facing political repression. Despite decades of bans, arrests and attempts to erase the legacy of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said she is determined to rebuild the party’s organizational strength and reconnect with its supporters. Recalling her repeated imprisonments since 1971, she said she is playing an active role in reviving the Awami League as the main opposition force to restore democratic rule and protect the rights and dignity of citizens.

Concerns about national security and regional stability

Sheikh Hasina warned that the threat of militancy and extremism in Bangladesh has increased since her exile, describing the threat as serious and ongoing. She said that during her tenure, Bangladesh would prioritize national security through improved intelligence systems, law enforcement and community-based initiatives to ensure that it does not become a safe haven for terrorism. Noting that extremism knows no borders, she stressed the need for a collective South Asian response rather than isolationism or intense geopolitical rivalry. She advocated regional economic integration, better governance and youth empowerment to counter extremism and ensure lasting peace and prosperity in South Asia.

The significance of the interview

At the end of the interview, the presenter thanked Sheikh Hasina, saying that this was her first audio interview with NDTV, even though it was conducted remotely under adverse circumstances. Optimism was also expressed about her possible return in December and the possibility of direct discussions in front of the camera in the future. Sheikh Hasina’s candid and detailed statement is being considered an important document on the political future of Bangladesh, her personal journey and the larger regional security context.