Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Claims U.S. Sought Control Over Bay of Bengal
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused the United States of orchestrating her removal from office and eventual exile, citing her refusal to surrender sovereignty over St. Martin Island as the catalyst for Washington’s actions. The small but strategically significant island, located in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, has become a focal point in Hasina’s allegations, which suggest that the U.S. sought to use the island to gain influence in the region.
Geopolitical tensions and forced resignation
In a recent statement, Hasina revealed that she resigned from her position as Prime Minister to prevent further bloodshed in Bangladesh, claiming that her opponents were intent on seizing power through violence. “I resigned so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it. I resigned from premiership,” Hasina was quoted as saying in an Economic Times report.
She added that her decision to step down was also influenced by external pressure to cede St. Martin Island to the U.S., a move that would have granted Washington significant control over the Bay of Bengal. “I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech the people of my land, please do not be manipulated by radicals,” she urged.
Reflecting on her departure, Hasina said, “Maybe, if I had stayed in the country, more lives would have been lost. I have removed myself. You were my strength, you did not want me, so I have left.”
Clarification on controversial remarks
Addressing the student anti-quota protests that marked the end of her tenure, Hasina sought to clarify her controversial remarks about “Razakars,” a term historically associated with collaborators during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. “I have never called you Razakars. My words were twisted to incite unrest. I urge you to watch the full video of that day. Conspirators exploited your innocence to destabilize our nation,” she said.
Strained relations with the U.S.
This is the first time Hasina has publicly discussed the events leading up to her resignation since fleeing to New Delhi. Her tenure was marked by increasing friction between Dhaka and Washington, culminating in the U.S. State Department’s refusal to recognize her fourth consecutive electoral victory in January, citing concerns over the fairness of the polls.
Adding to the tension, reports emerged on Sunday, August 11, that several U.S. senators were urging the White House to impose sanctions on officials from Hasina’s administration over allegations of human rights abuses. “The Bangladeshi leaders who orchestrated this brutal crackdown must be held accountable, which is why we’re calling upon the administration to sanction General Secretary Quader and Home Affairs Minister Khan, as we continue working to support a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Five other congressional Democrats have echoed this call, sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, pressing for sanctions on the officials in question.
