The White House on Monday issued a strong denial of allegations that the United States interfered in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, leading to the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
During a daily news conference, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted, “We have had no involvement at all. Any reports or rumors that the United States government was involved in these events is simply false. That is not true.”
Jean-Pierre’s statement addressed media reports quoting Hasina as allegedly claiming that she could have maintained her position in power if she had relinquished sovereignty over St. Martin’s Island and allowed the US dominance over the Bay of Bengal.
However, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, refuted these claims, stating that his mother never made such a statement. In a post on X, he clarified: “The recent resignation statement attributed to my mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated. I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka.”
The White House emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have the right and privilege to choose their own destiny. “This (electing their leader) is a choice for and by the Bangladeshi people. We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of their government, and that’s where we stand. Any allegations, certainly, we will continue to say, and I have said here, is simply not true,” Jean-Pierre stated.
