Sheikh Hasina requested permission “at very short notice” to come to India following her forced resignation as Bangladesh Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Tuesday.

Briefing Parliament on the Bangladesh situation, India’s response, and the status of an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in that country, Mr Jaishankar said the government is in “close and continuous touch” with the diaspora and called on the host nation to provide required security.

Mr Jaishankar, who briefed leaders at an all-party meet this morning and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night, said he sought “the understanding and support of the House” on this issue.

“On August 5 demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite a curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the decision to resign. At very short notice she requested approval to come, for the moment, to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance… she arrived in Delhi yesterday evening.”

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He also referred to an address by Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman – made Monday evening, shortly after Mrs Hasina stepped down – in which he said, “I have met opposition leaders… we have decided to form an interim government…” and appealed for the violent protests to end.

“The situation in Bangladesh is still evolving. We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of students returned in July…” he said.

“In the last 24 hours we have also been in regular touch with authorities in Dhaka. I seek the understanding and support of the House in regard to sensitive issues regarding an important neighbour on which there has always been strong national consensus,” he said.

Mr Jaishankar also spoke about India’s diplomatic missions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet, and said, “It is our expectation the host government will provide required security…”

READ | What Went Down At Sheikh Hasina’s Home Before She Fled

On the question of minorities in that country (over 90 per cent of the Bangladeshi population are Muslims), the External Affairs Minister said, “We are monitoring the situation with regard to minorities. There are reports of initiatives to ensure their protection and well-being. We welcome that… but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored.”

India’s northeast states share a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh. Infiltration concerns prompted a 12-hour night curfew in Meghalaya, as well as putting Border Security Forces on high alert.

Mrs Hasina, 76, is in an undisclosed location in India after fleeing Dhaka – shortly before protesters overran and looted her residence. She has reportedly applied for asylum in the United Kingdom.

READ | “No Provision For…”: What UK Said On Sheikh Hasina Asylum Reports

There are reports she resigned following an ultimatum by the Bangladesh Army.

Also, earlier today Mr Jaishankar spoke of a “conspiracy” to topple Mrs Hasina.

READ | Conspiracy Angle In Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster? What Sources Said

This was in response to a question by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who asked if there could be an involvement of foreign powers, specifically Pakistan, in the developments in Dhaka.
 

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British immigration rules do not allow individuals to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary refuge, the UK Home Office told NDTV Tuesday morning, amid persistent speculation ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina, now in Delhi, will fly to London to claim sanctuary.

The UK government – now headed by Sir Keir Starmer following Labour’s landslide win last month – also said individuals seeking asylum must do so “in the first safe country they reach”.

“The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge.”

“Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety,” a UK Home Office spokesperson told NDTV.

Nevertheless, sources indicate a formal asylum request is being processed.

Mrs Hasina, 76, was forced to resign as Prime Minister Monday evening after weeks-long protests over a jobs quota killed over 300 people. She fled Dhaka in a military aircraft – reportedly after the Bangladesh Army gave her a 45-minute ultimatum – and flew first to an IAF base in Uttar Pradesh.

READ | What Went Down At Sheikh Hasina’s Home Before She Fled

Sources last night told NDTV Mrs Hasina – met on arrival in India by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval – would proceed on to London after her plane was refuelled. Since then, though, there has been confirmation of the former Prime Minister’s schedule or, indeed, about her location.

Sources have, though, said she is in “protective custody” of Indian intelligence services.

She is accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, who is a UK citizen, which could be useful to claim asylum in that country. Also, her niece, Tulip Siddiq, is a British Labour parliamentarian.

Mrs Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, is based in Delhi as the regional chief for the World Health Organization. This, though, may not open doors as she works for an international agency.

Indian Government’s Position

This morning Bangladeshi publication Daily Sun cited unconfirmed sources as saying India has granted permission for an “interim stay”, during which Mrs Hasina will get comprehensive logistical support.

READ | Sheikh Hasina To Stay In India Until UK Grants Asylum: Report

This is reportedly only temporary and pending relocation to Britain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the Bangladesh situation, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to leaders of all major political parties in the country.

READ | Conspiracy Angle In Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster? What Sources Said

At that meeting Mr Jaishankar spoke of a “conspiracy” to topple Mrs Hasina’s government. This was in response to a question by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who asked if there could be an involvement of foreign powers, specifically Pakistan, in the dramatic developments in Dhaka over the past few weeks.

READ | India’s Dilemma After Dhaka Power Shift, Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster

The events in Bangladesh present a problem for India, particularly if the UK turns down Sheikh Hasina’s asylum request. India also does not want to be seen as overtly backing the ousted leader because that may complicate the country’s relationship with the new government in Bangladesh, whatever it may be.

What Next For Bangladesh?

A new “interim government” – to be advised, most likely, by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus – is believed to be taking shape in the crisis-hit country. This follows the release from jail – ordered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin – of former PM Khaleda Zia, who was convicted of corruption.

READ | Ex-PM, Nobel Winner, Student Leader: Key Faces In New Government?

In speculation that has emerged (inevitably so) since Mrs Hasina quit, three key names are at the forefront, two of whom are the Army, which took charge after Mrs Hasina quit, and which may have given her a 45-minute ultimatum; and her nemesis and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was jailed in 2018 on corruption charges and whose release was ordered by the President.

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The army chief warns that it is a “treasonable offence” to fly the flag of a foreign country. 

​The army chief warns that it is a “treasonable offence” to fly the flag of a foreign country.