Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a Bangladeshi politician and the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, serving as the head of government for two non-consecutive periods: from 1996 to 2001 and then for four consecutive terms from 2009 until 2024. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first President of Bangladesh. She has been the president of the Awami League political party since 1981.
Born on September 28, 1947, her political journey was shaped by the assassination of her father and most of her family on August 15, 1975, which led to her living in exile in India. Her long tenure, particularly the period from 2009 to 2024, is characterized by a close relationship with India, which saw the best period in Bangladesh–India relations. A key achievement was the 2011 accord on border demarcation, which involved the exchange of enclaves and is known as the Tin Bigha Corridor agreement.
Her premiership ended abruptly on August 5, 2024, when she resigned and fled to India amidst widespread student-led protests. This event significantly impacted bilateral ties, as India provided her with shelter. Following her ousting, the Awami League was banned in Bangladesh in May 2025. Furthermore, in November 2025, a Bangladeshi International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 protests. She remains a central figure in the geopolitics of South Asia, with her presence in India being a source of friction with the current Bangladeshi government.