NEW DELHI — Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in India, has accused the United States of playing a role in her removal from power.

Hasina claimed that she could have stayed in power if she had compromised on the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed the US to exert influence over the Bay of Bengal.

In a message quoted by the Economic Times, Hasina urged the people of Bangladesh not to be manipulated by radicals, expressing deep sorrow over the recent killings, harassment, and vandalism targeting leaders and workers in the country.

She vowed to return to Bangladesh soon, affirming her commitment to the nation her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, fought for.

The political unrest in Bangladesh escalated following Hasina's resignation on August 5, amid growing student protests against the government's controversial quota system for jobs. The unrest led to concerns for Hasina's safety, prompting her departure to India.

Hasina also addressed the student protests, clarifying that her previous remarks were distorted to incite unrest. She emphasized that she never referred to the students as "Razakars" and urged them to watch the full video of her speech.

In the past, Hasina has accused the US of attempting to orchestrate a regime change in Bangladesh, a sentiment echoed by her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who suggested that foreign intelligence agencies were behind the recent protests. — Agencies