Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Michael Kugelman has said in South Asia and the broader Global South, Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's return will be welcomed.
He cited her focus on economic growth, connectivity, nonalignment, climate change, global peacekeeping and hosting of Rohingyas.
"Easy to overlook this with so much focus on what the West thinks," he said.
Within hours after Bangladesh’s election result was declared, the Indian, Russian, and Chinese envoys all extended their congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Kugelman said.
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"If anyone is surprised by this, there’s no reason to be. They all (not just India) have long viewed her as a key partner," he shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"And guess what other country’s ambassador has now congratulated Hasina? Pakistan. Perhaps the only country in South Asia that might be a bit uncomfortable about her return. But still willing to accept the election result," Kugelman said in a separate message posted from his verified X account.