New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- Former diplomat Veena Sikri defended former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming address in New Delhi, asserting that it should not be viewed as a political speech and calling for reconciliation and the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

Her remarks came after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the Government of India has no involvement in Sheikh Hasina's scheduled address on Wednesday, which is being organised by a private media entity, and does not endorse any views that may be expressed during the interaction.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Sikri rejected the description of the event as it being a political speech.

"First of all, I think the question of political speeches is a ...