Celebrating Sheikh Hasina’s Birthday in India: A New Example of a Violation of Diplomatic Etiquette

September 2026. A birthday event is being held in a city in India. The person in whose name the event is being organized is Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The event itself may seem small. But its significance is much greater.

Because this event is being organized at a time when Bangladesh-India relations are going through a delicate process of reconstruction. And at precisely such a time, this gathering raises a fundamental question about diplomatic etiquette.

In August 2024, Sheikh Hasina was removed from power and fled to India. Following that, a new political reality emerged in Bangladesh.

In February 2026, a new government was formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Since then, a process of restoring relations between Dhaka and New Delhi has begun.

India’s Foreign Minister visited Dhaka. The Speaker of the Indian Parliament and the Foreign Secretary attended the swearing-in ceremony. Discussions began between the two countries on trade, connectivity, and manpower.

At this delicate moment, celebrating Sheikh Hasina’s birthday in India—particularly if it is done with the cooperation of state or government institutions—raises the first question mark over the sincerity of this process of restoration.

But the birthday event was not the only issue. Another matter was connected to the gathering—the screening of a documentary made about Sheikh Hasina.

The documentary claims to portray Sheikh Hasina’s political life, her period in power, and her exile following the July uprising of 2024. The screening was organized as part of the same event.

This is much more than a simple birthday celebration. It is an attempt to construct a narrative framework in which Sheikh Hasina is portrayed as a “persecuted leader” who was “unjustly” removed from power.

But the gap between this narrative and reality is that Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia in November 2025. According to United Nations information, approximately 1,400 people were killed during the repression carried out by her government during the July uprising of 2024.

In such a context, an attempt to portray Sheikh Hasina through a documentary as an “exiled” leader is not merely a violation of diplomatic etiquette; it is a direct challenge to Bangladesh’s judicial process.

There is an unwritten rule of diplomacy—the host country should never interfere in the internal politics of the visiting country.

Sheikh Hasina is currently a highly controversial figure in Bangladeshi politics. Judicial proceedings against her over allegations of crimes against humanity have been completed. In such a situation, celebrating her birthday in India and screening a documentary about her—regardless of whether it is presented as a “cultural” or “private” event—amounts to a form of disregard for Bangladesh’s judicial process and political stability.

The fundamental basis of international relations is mutual respect and sensitivity. If India genuinely wants healthy relations with Bangladesh, it should have refrained from organizing events that hurt the sentiments of a large section of the Bangladeshi people.

India presents itself as the “big brother” of South Asia. But this incident shows that India’s diplomacy is often driven by its own political interests.

Some Indian political parties and media outlets use Bangladesh’s political debates for their own interests. The celebration of Sheikh Hasina’s birthday and the screening of her documentary are part of that same trend.

This is a clear example of double standards. On the one hand, India speaks of cordial relations with Bangladesh’s new government. On the other hand, it openly extends support to the political opponent of that government.

Bangladesh should respond to this incident clearly and firmly.

Silence means silent approval of such behavior. India needs to be made to understand through diplomatic channels that Sheikh Hasina is an internal matter of Bangladesh. Celebrating her birthday officially in India and screening a documentary about her is disrespectful to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

It is time for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take a clear position on this matter. If India is genuinely interested in improving relations, it should refrain from such diplomatic indiscretions in the future.

Diplomacy is not merely a game of formalities. It is about mutual respect and sensitivity.

Celebrating Sheikh Hasina’s birthday in India and screening her documentary—especially in the current context—is an unnecessary and harmful step.

If India wants to maintain its image as a trusted partner in South Asia, it should avoid unnecessary interference in the internal politics of its neighbors.

Otherwise, incidents of this kind will damage the future process of restoring India-Bangladesh relations.