West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026Sheikh HasinaSuvendu AdhikariIndia-Bangladesh relationsTeesta River dispute
Deposed Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Congratulates Suvendu Adhikari on Becoming West Bengal CM
Published: May 9, 2026
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Deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on his appointment as Chief Minister of West Bengal. In a statement released through Awami League officials on Saturday, May 9, 2026, Hasina said Bangladesh wished prosperity and peace for West Bengal under Adhikari's leadership, calling the election outcome a reflection of public trust in his governance.
The Bangladesh Awami League, banned in April 2024 following a crackdown during Hasina's final days in power, issued a separate statement expressing confidence that Adhikari's leadership would strengthen cultural and historical ties between Bangladesh and West Bengal. The party referenced shared language and heritage, asserting that the new administration could advance bilateral relations.
Suvendu Adhikari had previously defended Hasina in November 2025 after she was sentenced to death by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal for her role in the 2024 civilian crackdown. Adhikari, then a key opposition figure in West Bengal, called the verdict politically motivated and claimed it would not be carried out. The current Indian government has not commented on the exchange.
With the defeat of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had resisted the Teesta water-sharing agreement favored by Hasina, Bangladeshi officials linked to the ruling BNP have indicated renewed hope for progress on long-pending water treaties. The Ganga Waters Treaty is also due for renewal by December 2026.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a formal response to Hasina's statement. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday regarding the status of diplomatic communications involving deposed foreign leaders.