Is Bangladesh PM Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed gearing up for larger political role?

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed’s presence at the G20 summit right after her trip to Indonesia with the country’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin to participate at the Asean summit could be an indication that she is now preparing for a larger political role.

Wazed was seen putting up regular updates on social media X on the G20 summit from New Delhi.

The mother and daughter duo met world leaders including US President Joe Biden at the summit. Biden in fact even clicked a selfie with Hasina and Wazed.

“Had a wonderful chat with @POTUS @JoeBidenat the #G20 Summit in #NewDelhi. I spoke to him about the importance of #MentalHealth services as a part of comprehensive #PublicHealth, and school psychologists in the education system,” Wazed wrote in a post.

Wazed earlier presented a souvenir to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well.

An autism expert, Wazed, who is contesting for election as regional director for South-East Asia Region (SEARO) at World Health Organization (WHO), will seek India’s support for her endorsement.

Her social media handle gives a glimpse of her increased participation in public life amid approaching elections in Bangladesh, which is treading through a critical phase in history as it gears up to exit the list of least developed countries by 2026.

“It is an interesting development and we will have to watch if she takes a larger role and eventually succeeds Hasina and thread on the same path as her mother,” an analyst said.

On Friday, Modi and Hasina held bilateral talks and even signed three memoranda of understanding aimed at boosting ties between the two countries.

This is the first time Bangladesh has been part of the G20 deliberations. India under its G20 presidency invited nine countries including Bangladesh to be part of the G20. Bangladesh is the only South Asian nation to be invited this year. The move is a reflection of Modi’s Neighbourhood Policy.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-km long border– the fifth-longest land border in the world. Several states including West Bengal, Assam Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram have international borders with Bangladesh.

A peaceful and developing Bangladesh is key for India’s stability and economic progress.

Also read: Ahead of G20 summit, PM Modi holds bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina